Sports

Adequate preps will see Super Falcons through a difficult group – Waldrum

Published

3 years ago

October 25, 2022

Randy Waldrum believes nine-time African champions Nigeria can pull through a tough Group B of the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand next year if they continue on the tangent of regular top grade friendly matches and camping programmes.

“I have mixed feelings because it is a difficult group. Host nations are almost always difficult to play, and more than that, Australia is a fantastic team. Also, we have the Olympic champions, Canada in our group. We played the Canadians recently in two friendly matches and I know they are highly motivated for the World Cup.

“I know some of Canada’s players very well. Then, we have Republic of Ireland. It is a tough group but I think it is the same with most of the groups. It is the FIFA World Cup so you are bound to play the strongest teams. All the groups are difficult and you know, there are so many good teams these days: that is where we are and it is a great thing for the women’s game.”

The American insists that the Super Falcons have the talent, guts and ambition to cause a storm at the finals scheduled for nine cities across Australia and New Zealand 20^th July – 20^th August next year.

“We have, no doubt, the talent to survive in this group. We just need adequate preparations such as the regular friendly matches during international breaks, and then the training camps. The girls are ambitious; they want to give their best at the World Cup. I trust that they will do Nigeria proud.”

The Super Falcons are in Group B of the finals with Australia, Republic of Ireland and Canada. In two friendly matches in April this year, Nigeria lost one and drew one against the Olympic champions.

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Sports

Mobolaji Johnson Arena Buzzes with Excitement as N-Youth League Super 8 Tips Off

Published

3 hours ago

June 17, 2025

The Gleamer

…N40million for Grabs

By Joel Ajayi

The historic Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos is set to witness top-tier youth football action as the Nigeria Youth League Cup (NYLC) Super 8 Tournament kicks off on Monday, June 23, 2025.
The highly anticipated competition will open with a thrilling fixture between Enyimba FC U-19 of Aba and Kwara United U-19, followed by a clash between Plateau United U-19 and Kano Pillars U-19 in the second match of Day 1.

Other teams vying for glory in the Super 8 are Mailantarki FC of Abuja, Sunshine Stars FC of Akure, Atlantic Business FC of Lagos, and Shuffle Select FC, also of Lagos.

This prestigious youth tournament boasts a total prize pool of ₦40 million. The champion will walk away with ₦10 million, the runner-up will earn ₦8 million, while the remaining teams will also receive financial rewards based on their final standings.

The NYLC, which began its inaugural season in April 2024, featured 23 teams split across two regional conferences. From the Northern Conference, Plateau United, Kano Pillars, Kwara United, and Mailantarki FC secured their spots in the Super 8, while Enyimba, Sunshine Stars, Atlantic Business, and Shuffle Select qualified from the Southern Conference.

During a press conference and draw ceremony ahead of the competition on Tuesday in Abuja NYLC President Robinson Adakosa announced that the Super 8 will adopt a round-robin format, featuring four matches daily at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

Adakosa praised the dedication of all involved, noting that despite the challenges encountered during the season, the league has succeeded in identifying and nurturing exceptional young talents.

“This season has not only revealed outstanding players but has also drawn the attention of European scouts,” he stated, adding that the league remains committed to creating pathways for youth development in football.

He expressed gratitude to the participating clubs, board members, and stakeholders, including the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), for their unwavering support.

Adakosa also confirmed that all logistics for the tournament have been fully arranged to ensure a smooth and memorable experience for players and fans alike, with matches scheduled from June 23 to June 30.

In a major boost to the tournament’s profile, Adakosa revealed that FC Barcelona’s Head of Recruitment, Villa Gorriz, will be attending, alongside scouts from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands—underscoring the growing international interest in Nigeria’s grassroots football talent.

With excitement building, the NYLC Super 8 promises a week of explosive action, skillful displays, and future stars in the making.

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