2011 All Africa Games logo

Defending champions Cameroon will battle west African opponents; Ghana and Senegal at this year’s All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique.

Uganda rounds up Group B in what many believe is the ‘Group of Death’ at the draw which took place at the Caf headquarters in Cairo on Tuesday.

South Africa are in Group A with hosts Mozambique, surprise inclusions Libya and Madagascar.

Only Mozambique and Cameroon were seeded for the draw conducted by Confederation of African Football general secretary Hicham el-Amrani.

This heightened the risk of a lob-sided draw and that is what happened with Group B looking much stronger than Group A.

South Africa ousted Angola, Malawi and Zimbabwe to reach a second consecutive All-Africa Games after sneaking into qualifiers they forgot to enter thanks to the withdrawal of cash-strapped Namibia.

None of the other Group A contenders kicked a ball with Mozambique automatic qualifiers as hosts and Libya and Madagascar receiving walkovers when Egypt and Seychelles withdrew.

Former champions Egypt pulled out on the eve of the draw after receiving a walkover when Libya withdrew because of an ongoing armed rebellion against Colonel Gaddafi.

Cameroon have won four of the last five All-Africa Games football titles in a tournament restricted to under-23 footballers.

Mozambique, South Africa, Cameroon and Ghana appear favourites to occupy the top two places in the groups after the round-robin action and reach the semi-finals of a major attraction at the multi-sport African ‘Olympics’.

In the Womens division, Mozambique, Cameroon, Guinea and Algeria are paired in Group A while South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Ghana battles it out in Group B.

The All Africa Games will be held from 3-18 tournament in Mozambique capital, Maputo.

EG's Nina Dorine Chuigoue

Three second-half goals gave Brazil a convincing 3-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday that secured top spot in women’s World Cup Group D for the 2007 runners-up.

Erika struck in the 49th minute and Cristiane doubled the advantage at the 54-minute mark before completing a brace with a penalty in injury time.

Brazil finished Group D with a perfect nine points and a goal difference of 7-0 as they booked their place in the quarter-finals in ominous fashion.

The South American powers will play the second-placed team in Group C, either Sweden or the United States, on July 10 in Dresden.

Equatorial Guinea depart their first World Cup with zero points, having scored two goals and conceded seven.

Brazil head coach Kleiton Lima made just one change to his line-up, with Renata Costa replacing Daiane in the middle of the back three.

His Guinea counterpart Marcello Frigerio also swapped one player from the starting formation, with Laetita playing in defence in favour of Chinasa.

In front of 35,859 spectators in Frankfurt, Brazil came close to scoring just 60 seconds in, with Marta’s free-kick from the right side a bit too long for Erika as it sailed just wide of the far post.

Brazil were a bit wasteful with their cross-field passing in the first quarter-hour and Equatorial Guinea finally challenged the Brazil goal from a corner kick in the 18th minute.

Brazilian goalkeeper Andreia made a superb save a minute later after Anonman latched on to a long free-kick into the box.

Lima’s side set up further forward after half-time and it paid off straight away as the Brazilians took the lead with a magnificent goal.

Marta’s cross from the left was batted away by Guinea keeper Miriam but only just past the penalty spot, where Erika juggled the ball to her left foot and blasted home for her ninth goal in 17th appearances.

Marta was again free on the left flank shortly afterwards and the superstar set up her side’s second goal with a low cross that Cristiane flicked home at the near post.

Cristiane nearly scored again in the 63rd minute but her header went just over the bar.

The Africans remained determined to score and had a solid chance with 12 minutes to play as Anonman’s free-kick from a yard outside the box went just wide of the left-hand post, to the disappointment of the Frankfurt crowd.

Cristiane sealed the win in the 93rd minute, converting from the spot into the lower-right corner after Bruna took down Marta in the box.

It was Cristiane’s 43rd goal in 59 caps.

Source: Mtnfootball.com

Equatorial Guinea disqialified from 2012 Olympic games qualifier

Equatorial Guinea have been disqualified from the qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympic games for fielding an unqualified player.

Thus, Cameroon will play Nigeria for the sole women’s slot in place of the former African champions.

In a letter signed by Gordon Savic, head of FIFA World Cup & Olympic Qualifiers Competitions, and addressed to the Nigeria Football Federation, FIFA stated, inter alia: “…As you will note, Cameroon has been confirmed to take part in this final stage of the qualifiers, after the FIFA Judicial Bodies have declared the 2 matches lost by forfeit by Equatorial Guinea in the 2nd round, due to player’s ineligibility in infringement of the Regulations”.

Cameroon lost over two legs to World Cup campaigners Equatorial Guinea in the last round, but now have a reprieve and will visit Nigeria for the first leg of the final qualifying fixture on the weekend of August 26-28.

Cameroon’s will then host the Super Falcons in the return leg on the weekend of September 9-11.

Nkwocha in goal celebration

Veteran Nigeria striker Perpetua Nkwocha has announced her international retirement.

The 35-year-old’s announcement follows the Super Falcons poor performance at this year’s Fifa Womens World Cup in Germany where they failed to make it past the group stages.

“This is certainly my last World Cup and the best time to leave the stage for the younger ones to express themselves.

“Nobody can say that l have not contributed to the growth of the game, but right now it is time to move up in life,’ she said.

Nkwocha has represented Nigeria at four African Women Championships between 2002 and 2004, winning all four, three Olympic Games tournaments and three World Cups.

She overtook Mercy Akide as the leading goal scorer at the African Women Championships, although she has failed to score at the World Cup.
It is an imbalance she is keen to redress.

“We have the game against Canada being our last but all hope for me is not lost even though l thought that by now l would have scored,” she said.

“Against France l played very deep and against Germany l played in the midfield so maybe this time around l could be placed in the good position that would enable me score.”

Germany's Simone Laudehr scores on Nigeria goalkeeper Precious Dede

Nigeria have crushed out of this year’s Fifa Womens World Cup following their 1-0 loss at the hands of hosts Germany in Frankfurt on Thursday evening.

The Super Falcons put up another brave performance and kept the reigning champions goalless for over 50 minutes, but Germany eventually edged ahead and the African champions were unable to come up with a reply.

Simone Laudehr scored the game’s only goal nine minutes into the second half, rifling home a shot after Nigeria were unable to clear their lines from a Celia Mbabi free kick.

Germany and France (who thrashed Canada 4-0 earlier in the day) have secured their progression into the quarterfinals, while Nigeria and Canada will have nothing more than pride to play for when they meet next Tuesday.

Nigeria coach Eucharia Uche

Fifa has criticized Nigeria coach Eucharia Uche for speaking against homosexuality and revealing she forced lesbians out of her team.

The governing body says its against all forms of discrimination and would not tolerate such a behaviour.

“FIFA is against all forms of discrimination,” Tatjana Haenni, FIFA’s head of women’s competitions, told German television channel ARD.

Haenni said FIFA will be talking to Uche about her comments and reminding the coach of the governing bodies statutes.

In a mission statement, FIFA says it wants to use the sport in ‘overcoming social and cultural obstacles for women with the ultimate aim of improving women?s standing in society’.

“We are here at a FIFA event and will point out that it would be best to express oneself neutrally,” said Haenni.

Uche sparked controversy in a New York Times interview ahead of the women’s World Cup, which started last Sunday, in which she called homosexuality ‘dirty’ and insisted it was ‘spiritually and morally very wrong’.

After Nigeria lost their opening Group A game 1-0 to France on Sunday, Uche said she has acted to remove any lesbians from the Super Eagles.

“Yes, the lesbians in our team were really a big problem,” she said having taken over as Nigeria’s coach in 2009.

“But since I’m coach of the Super Falcons, that has been cleared up.

“There are no more lesbian players on my team.

“I can not tolerate this dirty life.”

Defending champions and hosts Germany play Nigeria on Thursday in Frankfurt am Main and have declined to comment in Uche’s remarks.

Germany reserve goalkeeper Ursula Holl is married to a woman and first-choice shot-stopper Nadine Angerer is openly bisexual.

Equatorial Guinea succumbs to late strike to Norway

Equatorial Guinea surrendered a late goal to lose to Norway in their opening Group D game at the ongoing Fifa Womens World Cup in Germany on Wednesday.

The 2008 African champions finally broke down to an 84th minute striker from Emelie Haavi after Norway had hit the wood work thrice in the game.

The Nzalang Nacional had a fare share of their own chances but failed to capitalise with captain Anonman being the main culprit.

In front of almost 13,000 fans, the Norwegians’ first chance came in the second minute as Haavi shot wide.

Equatorial Guinea needed some time to get into the match and relied on long-range efforts, like Anonman’s 40-yard blast and Jurama’s attempt from a bit closer after 17 minutes.

The Africans then began to dominate and on 20 minutes, Dulcia was through on goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth but Haavi made a vital last-gasp interception.

Hjelmseth faced a barrage of shots – most of them from long range – and successfully cleared them all away.

Equatorial Guinea had one final chance before the break as Anonman got past Nora Holstad Berge for a dash at Hjelmseth, but the keeper won the encounter.

After the break, Anonman continued her excellent match, breezing past four women before chipping a shot that went just wide of the post after 53 minutes.

The back-and-forth went on as Norway’s Mykjaland hit the outside of the right post in the 55th minute.

The Norwegians found the framework again just two minutes later with Herlovsen hitting the left post before the ball was pushed out in a scramble.

Anonman broke through again in the 71st minute but again shot wide of the far right post and then she wasted another one-on-one situation with Hjelmseth just seconds later.

Norway finally broke through when Leni Larsen Kaurin crossed from the right side to Haavi, who shot into an empty net after the Africans failed to clear.

Siasia to inspire Falcons ahead of Germany tie

Samson Siasia will travel to Germany to inspire the Super Falcons ahead of their second group match in the ongoing Fifa Womens World Cup against the hosts.

Nigeria must avoid defeat at all cost to keep their hopes of progression in the tournament alive following their 1-0 loss to France in their opening game.

The Super Eagles’ coach has been on a short vacation in the United States, but will head to Europe rather than back home to Nigeria.

“The (NFF) President has asked me to come to Germany to support the players and officials ahead of their match against Germany,” Siasia told KickOffNigeria.com.

Siasia is expected to arrive in Germany on Wednesday, and is scheduled to meet with team officials, and then the players before their game.

The Eagles coach will make a brief stopover in England before heading for Germany for the duration of the Falcons’ remaining matches.

French striker Delie cooly slotting home winner

Nigeria lost their opening game of the Fifa Womens World Cup in Germany to France on Sunday by a lone goal.

Striker Maurie-Lhaure Delie punished the Nigerian defence’s inability to effectively clear their lines as she controlled and coolly slotted home in the 18-yard box on 56 minutes.

The Super Falcons tried as they may, failed to pull even despite creating some descent opportunities but the French generally held control of the game.

The result inevitably makes qualification into the next round for the Africans even more difficult as they are yet to beat any of their Group A opponents.

Barrister Chris Green

Head of the Nigeria Football Federation technical committee, Barrister Chris Green has poked fun at rumours in the land that the committee’s meeting on Thursday in Abuja is aimed at getting a replacement for the embattled Super Falcons coach Eucharia Uche.

He equally denied knowledge of any directive from the NFF prior to the Accra battle directing Falcons coach to win Ghana in the quadrennial football showpiece or quit her position as the head coach of the women national team.

Following the elimination of the six-time African champions from the 2011 All Africa Games by Ghana’s Black Queens at the Ohene Djan stadium, Accra on Sunday, the air has been thickened with wide speculations that the former Nigerian international will be sacked or made to work under yet to be appointed technical adviser possibly after Thursday’s technical committee meeting.

However waving aside the speculations as unfounded, Green who admitted to SuperSport.com that the committee will be deliberating on matters that affect the whole national teams including Super Falcons, he however differed that the discussion on Falcons will be to remove coach Uche from the team.

“We are meeting tomorrow to review the activities of the national teams, Under-20 (Flying Eagles), Under-23 (Dream Team IV), Super Eagles and Super Falcons.

“As regards to Super Falcons our attention will be on the way forward, how to ensure that Falcons excel at the World Cup.

“I am not aware that the FA told the coach to win the tie against Ghana and remain as the head coach or loses the game and be sacked.

“There was nothing like that and nothing of such will come up in our discussion tomorrow. We are only interesting in finding solution and ways that will help the team do well at the World Cup,” he told SuperSport.com.

The Fifa Women World Cup is due to kick off in June and Nigeria will contest the group qualification with host and world champions, Germany, Canada and France.