International Women’s Friendlies: Nigeria loses big to Les Bleues

Prior to the match held in Le Mans, the Super Falcons had vowed to put up a fight against the team which is 33 places above them in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings on the 5th spot. The match result, however, seems to suggest that they might have done the exact opposite or maybe perhaps fortune departed them yesterday. What’s true is that the match was a horror show to Nigerian eyes as they fell 8-0 at the hands of the merciless French team. Eugenie Le Sommer opened the scoring 20 minutes into the match followed by Montpellier’s Valerie Gauvin who then took the match ball home after completing her hat-trick in the 78th minute. Diallo, Thiney, and Leger were also on the score sheet together with Faith Ikidi who capped off the horrendous evening by putting the ball in her own net.

The Super Falcons have now equaled their worst defeat in football history, 8-0 against Norway in 1995 and 8-0 against Germany, 15 years later. Swede Coach Thomas Dennerby’s first day on the job will be one he will be anxious to put past him after he had to field an experimental squad due to the absence of key players, in particular, the African Women’s player of the year, Asisat Oshoala who was facing alleged disciplinary issues with her Chinese club.

Nigeria will play the winner of the match between Gambia and Burkina Faso to book a spot at this year’s Women Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Ghana from November 17 to the 3rd of December.

DRC: Frustrated quartet walk out of the squad

Four players left the Democratic Republic of Congo camp before their friendly against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania. This was perhaps a case too many for West Ham United’s Arthur Masuaku, Paul-Jose Mpoku of Belgian club Standard Liege, Jordan Ikoko from En Avant Guingamp and Gael Kakuta of Ligue 1 outfit Amiens. The cited reasons for the protest were repeated logistical and organizational problems.

As the four left for their clubs, the faithful had to endure the flight delays, poor quality accommodation with a stern warning that they would follow suit if conditions would remain unchanged. DRC Congo have lost the ensuing match 2-0 in Tanzania to Tanzania. Logistical issues and non-payment of promised allowances are not exactly new in some other African countries and the players seem to be pushing for a revolution to change things. Here is what a Congo Brazzaville striker said last week after he had ditched the team in France over poor treatment of players:

"We will remain vigilant. We will now check a month before our next international to find out what the conditions are. I think a message has been conveyed to the country. And that the conditions will be much better in the future." - Thievy Bifouma

International Friendlies Round-Up: Ronaldo, Coutinho and Lingard amongst the goals

World Cup hosts Russia succumbed to a 3-0 defeat to a Neymar-less Brazil. Barcelona players Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho stepped up in the absence of their main man and scored one each. Miranda scored the other in the thrilling match which is a test for the teams that want to challenge in FIFA’s biggest tournament in less than 2 months.

In other news, France lost 2-3 to Colombia on the same night. The result is quite surprising considering the fact that France had an early 2 goal advantage as Giroud and Lemar both scored a goal each. Muriel scored for Colombia to make it 2-1 before the break. Falcao and Quintero’s penalty completed the comeback and downed Deschamps’ side.

Germany and Spain’s clash ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw. Rodrigo scored at the 6th minute for Spain before Muller leveled the matters on the 9th minute.

England won 1-0 against the Netherlands thanks to a Jesse Lingard goal in the 59th minute.

Russia 2018: Egypt target Portugal scalp, Lions of Teranga face South Korea

In preparation for the 2018 FIFA World cup finals, the Pharaohs of Egypt will face up against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal while Aliou Cisse and his lions will battle South Korea. Egypt’s head coach, Hector Cuper is confident that their recent studies on the European champions and the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has prepared them to be unrelenting in expressing themselves in the friendly clash between the two.

“We have studied Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo like we studied Uruguay and its stars Cavani and Suarez. We will see in the game how we will do.

We will try to play well at the World cup and we will try many things against Portugal and Ronaldo.” - Hector Cuper

The former Inter Milan coach also added the Egyptian Football Association is untiringly working with the team to ensure that players’ world cup preparations will not be adversely affected by Islam’s holy month of fasting in May (Ramadan).

Meanwhile, Senegal’s Lions of Teranga will face fellow world cup finalists, South Korea in a friendly match on 11th June in preparation to face another Asian opponent, Japan in their Group H alongside Poland and Colombia.

Internationals: Choupo-Moting and Kameni in Cameroon’s squad for Kuwait friendly

Stoke City forward, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Fenerbahce’s goalkeeper, Carlos Kameni are among the 23 man squad of familiar faces that have been called up by caretaker coach, Alexandre Belinga. Choupo-Moting previously refused to honor the call to represent the Indomitable Lions at the AFCON finals in Gabon 2017 after announcing retirement from international football. The duo will join the likes of Porto’s Vincent Aboubakar and captain Benjamin Moukandjo for the Kuwait friendly on the 25th of  March, which is a step towards preparation for the AFCON 2019 qualifiers against Malawi, Comoros and Morocco though they have automatically qualified by the virtue of being hosts. On the other hand, Liverpool defender, Joel Matip remains defiant on rejoining Cameroon after snubbing them in last year’s finals.

Russia 2018: Former Nigerian coach believes Rohr should have included more local based players in his squad

Gernot Rohr’s decision to include two Nigerian Professional Football League players in his 28 man squad for the upcoming friendlies against Serbia and Poland did not  sit in well with former coach, Austin Eguavoen. Eguavoen believes that the Nigerian coach could have reaped more from the players who reached the final of  2018 African Nations Championship, eventually losing to hosts Morocco.

"I saw the list and it's a good one," he told Complete Sports Nigeria, "but I think there should be more players from the league in his squad."

Players who ply their trade abroad are usually preferred in terms of representing African countries in major tournaments. One of the popular arguments against such decisions, is that team chemistry and passion may be compromised.

Russia 2018: Only Two Players Based in Nigeria Included in Rohr’s 28 Men Squad

Gernot Rohr’s choices might not positively reflect a lot on home soil but definitely endorses the depth that most people know the Super Eagles have when it comes football. Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Moses and Wilfried Ndidi are some of the notable names in the Nigerian camp to face Poland and Serbia in friendlies as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup finals in Russia. Only goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa and the CHAN starman Gabriel Okechukwu are the local players to make this squad. Nigeria will face-off with Croatia, Iceland and Argentina in June finals for a place in the knockout rounds.