Olympic Games: Staff Sergeant Banda gingered for more exploits in Paris

Does the name Staff Sergeant Barbara Banda ring a bell? Perhaps!

But does Copper Queens of Zambia ring a bell? Certainly, especially after the team edged Morocco in a two legged Olympic qualifier to pick a ticket for the 2024 Olympic Games billed for July 26 to August 11.

Captain of the team is Barbara Banda who also plies her trade with Florida based Orlando Pride.

The 24 year old led the Copper Queens to their debutant Olympic appearance in Japan was recently promoted to Staff Seargent by the Zambia Army Commander Lt. General Sitali Alubuzwi as she successfully led the women national team to qualify for a second Olympic appearance in Paris.

Banda scored twice to qualify the Copper Queens thanks to a 3-2 aggregate thus denying Atlas Lionesses of Morocco who came so close from picking one of the tickets with the second ticket already in the kitty of Super Falcons of Nigeria.

"Thank you God, for the promotion, humbled to be promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant by the Army commander, Lieutenant General Dennis Sitali Alibuzwi.

Thank you sir for always believing in us. Congratulations to my teammates who were also promoted" she enthused

The skipper was promoted along with other Green Buffaloes players who were part of the team to their next respective ranks.

Banda's promotion is no doubt a charge for her to lead the team to conquer and an indication that the team will fight harder than they did in their debut in Japan four years ago.

Free scoring Banda has netted 53 goals for the Zambian senior national team since upgrading from U-17 to senior national team in 2016 in 60 appearances.  She joined Orlando Pride from Chinese Super League

Shanghai Shengli this year but not without scoring 18 goals in 13 appearances for the Chinese side.

Olympic debut in Japan may have passed as a baptism of fire after the team crashed out in the first round conceding 15 goals and scoring seven.

The opener was particularly embarrassing 3-10 it ended against Netherlands, followed by a 4-4 draw against China and lone goal loss against Brazil to hit the exit door.

In spite of that however Banda showed the stuff she was made off scoring hat-trick twice against Netherlands and China so the team left defeated but left no one in doubt that they were fighters. Returning to the Olympics four years later is a sign of hunger to fight harder and perhaps perform better.

This time drawn against United States, Germany and Australia the Copper Queens definitely have enough nuts to crack to survive the group.

But with new rank hanging on the shoulder, be rest assured that the fight will be fierce not only for the team but also for team Captain who has been gingered to fight to the finish.

 

 

 

 

 

Eagles star Boniface warns against giving up amidst challenges

 

By Julius Okorie 

Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface is a strong believer in the saying that a word is enough for the wise. 

The Bayer Leverkusen star who recently joined teammates in celebrating the breaking of jinx to clinch their first German Bundesliga title went nostalgic in a recent post on his X handle to advice anyone who cares to listen especially younger ones seeking a breakthrough in life that giving up is not an option but remaining steadfast is the way to go.

The 23 year old who contributed in no small measure to 5-0 demolition of Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga win posted his funny but instructive picture way back at the Akure Township stadium wearing different pair of shoes, reminder of some sort of the coat of many colours song released in 1971 by legendary Dolly Parton. 

Down the line the former Union SG who took his direct goal contributions to 19 in 18 league appearances in the season has developed so much achieved so much and accumulated so much in his career that he cannot but count his blessings.

*Way back picture of Victor Boniface at the Akure Township Stadium

But not wanting to put the post in many words he simply said "If you like give up"

Some of his fans and followers understood the message agreeing with him that giving up is indeed not an option in the face of hurdles.

One of the fans @metuchizzy asked People still dey give up ?? Another @FemmyVickky took it personal saying "If I give up make I bend"

While another @OzieSparkles puts it point blank " Na who give up na him loose"

Boniface who missed the last AFCON in Cote d Ivoire no thanks to injury ended the season on victorious note for Leverkusen who went league-record 29 matches without defeat this season to secure their first trophy since 1993, hitting a 16-point lead over Bayern with five matches remaining.

Leverkusen host stuggart on Saturday in continuation of the remaining Bundesliga matches of the season.

 

 

 

 

Banyana Banyana Coach Desiree Ellis set to bag Doctorate award

By Julius Okorie

Banyana Banyana of South Africa coach Desiree Ellis may have failed in her recent attempt to qualify the team for the forthcoming Olympic Games in Paris, but it does not remove anything from her as one of the bests in the coaching business.

Ellis battled Super Falcons home and away for one of the two African tickets to the Games which takes place in July but found the Nigeria side too hot for comfort thus missing the mark thanks to a 2-1 aggregate over two legs played in Abuja and Pretoria respectively.

Ellis is the most successful Banyana Banyana coach in the history of the team, guiding them to their maiden Women's Africa Cup of Nations title in 2022.

She also led Banyana to being the first senior national team to advance to the last 16 of a FIFA World Cup, a feat they achieved last year in the tournament co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

Apparently thrilled by the achievement of the former South Africa international, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) has completed arrangement to confer her with honorary doctorate degree come Thursday April 25th, 2024 during their graduation ceremony.

The Four-time African Coach of the Year will thus be adding another feather to her lists of accolades thanks to her contribution to women football development in the country and beyond.

CPUT announced in a statement that Ellis would receive the accolade because her "significant achievements as a professional sportsperson and head coach of the South African women's football team, Banyana Banyana, has positioned her at the top of the African and global sport fraternity."

Ellis it will be recalled clinched CAF Women footballer of the year in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023. As a player Desiree Ellis who played as a midfielder earned 32 caps for South Africa with six goals to her credit between 1993 and 2002

 

Determined Ashleigh Plumptre vows to be back stronger

 

By Julius Okorie 

Super Falcons and Al-Ittihad of Saudi defender Ashleigh Plumptre has expressed optimism that she will return to action soon for both club and country stronger and better.

The former Leicester City star made the submission shortly after undergoing successful surgery in Saudi Arabia.

Recall that the 25 year old sustained injury while playing for her club last month, thus forcing her to be dropped after originally being named for two legged 2024 Olympic qualifier against Banyana Banyana of South Africa.

Interestingly the Super Falcons succeeded in picking one of the two tickets to the Olympics with the second slot going to Copper Queens of Zambia.

An elated Plumptre took to her X handle to reveal the success of the surgery on one hand and express gratitude to all who made it happen while promising to be back soon.

"Thank you to everyone at @ittiladiescluband to Dr Pieter D’Hooge at @Aspetar for supporting me through my first surgery.

It’s been a long time coming trying to get answers but I’m so grateful to now be at this stage.

To my @NGSuper_Falcons teammates and Nigerian fans… thank you for your patience and understanding when I’ve not been able to be with you. I can honestly say I have fought as hard and for as long as I can with this pain. I can’t wait to be back healthy with you all

My club - @ittiladiesclub I’m so grateful to be surrounded by some really great humans at this club. Thank you, all of you, for helping me through and supporting me every step of the way 💛 Back soon ✌🏽🧘🏽‍♀️

With the 2024 Olympics still about three months away, Plumptre stands a good chance of making the party to Paris as the Super Falcons plot an improved appearance at the Olympics.

 Nigeria will be playing in Group C in Paris against World Cup champions Spain, Japan and Brazil.

 

 

Rivers disarm Rangers as Pillars roast Gombe in Kano

 

Julius Okorie

Rivers United ran away with two goals and three points at the expense of visiting Rangers international at the Adokiye Amasiemeka Stadium PH on Sunday. 

Rivers United who recently crashed out of the CAF Confederation Cup after below par performance in two legged battle with Algerian side USM Alger obviously have returned to the league with increased vigour recording two victories in sequence against Plateau United and Rangers in that order. 

Today's clash indicate that the homers statistically dominated the match with 61%to 39% possession. Alex Oyowah fired Rivers into the lead in the 34th minute with Echeta Deputy as if playing the role of a typical deputy increased the tally in the 82nd minute to finally push the match out of the reach of Rangers who were recording their second defeat in five recent matches.

But for the 2-0 away defeat of Rivers United by USM Alger, the Garden City boys would have enjoyed five wins in five recent matches.

Meanwhile it was party time for Kano Pillars as they took Gombe United to the cleaners thanks to a 4-0 demolition at the Sani Abach Stadium.

 In what could pass for no nonsense approach to the encounter, Ibrahim Mustapha grabbed the first goal for Pillars as early as the 9th minute.

 Rabiu Ali grabbed a brace just before half time, and by the 79th minute Mustapha Umar delivered the icing on the cake for the kano landlords. 

The victory was a relief for Pillars who have not tested victory in their last three matches going into today's clash. 

Their misery had started with 5-0 bashing by Enyimba, followed by 2-1 defeat by Shooting Stars and Bendel Insurance respectively. It was the third consecutive loss for Gombe who are still searching for the first win after five matches.

In other matches played today, Kastina United beat Sporting Lagos 2-0, Kwara United beat Akwa United 1-0, Niger Tornadoes were 2-0 better than Doma United while Plateau United edged Remo Stars 1-0. Enyimba held Sunshine Stars to a 1-1 draw with Lobi Stars and Bendel Insurance settling for a goalless draw at the Lafia Township Stadium. 

Rangers however remain top of the ladder with 64 points in 31 matches played so far.

 

 

Paris 2024: Nnadozie a boost as Falcons seek to improve Athens record

 

By Julius Okorie

Reigning African goalkeeper of the year and Super Falcons dependable safehand Chiamaka Nnadozie earned a well-deserved eight over ten rating as Super Falcons grabbed Olympic ticket at the expense of Banyana Banyana of South Africa.

Nnadozie who was recently voted best goalkeeper in Europe on number of saves made, continued her tantalizing performance making five saves in the South Africa vs Nigeria encounter thus keeping clean sheet at both ends of the two legged play-off in Abuja and Pretoria respectively.

Recall that the Paris FC safehand also had a good run at the last World Cup in Australia and New Zealand with one of the highlights being a penalty save against Canada en-route the round of 16 where the team eventually crashed out after mother of all battles against England.

Nnadozie's form is sure to be a huge boost to the Super Falcons who will be hoping to better their achievement at the 2004 Olympics in Athens where they made it to the Quarterfinals before losing to 2-1 to Germany.

On that occasion the Falcons had shot into the lead thanks to former international Mercy Akide who grabbed a 49th minute goal. But the Germans will not have it as they bounced back in the second half with two quick goals in the 76th and 81st minute to clinch victory.

 The Athens outing was the best for the Falcons who had failed to go past the group stage at their last outing in Beijing, China in 2008.

The worst outing however was at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 where the team experienced what could pass for Baptism of fire losing to China 3-1, to Norway 3-1 and to USA 3-1 to exit just in the group stage. Only eight countries participated in that event, viz Germany, Brazil, Sweden and Australia in Group A. Group B had United States, Norway, China and Nigeria with United States and Norway progressing to semifinals. Norway eventually emerged champions after beating United States 3-2 in the final.

With a catalogue of experience behind the Randy Waldrum tutored side, the 2024 Olympics in Paris promises to be a different ball game despite being pitched against Spain, Japan and Brazil.

The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris will hold from Friday July 26 to Sunday August 11.

 

 

Paris 2024: Falcons declare operation consolidate in SA

 

By Julius Okorie

The Nation's Senior female team, Super Falcons have declared operation consolidate in today's make or break final Olympic Qualifiers against Banyana Banyana of South Africa.

The Falcons settled for a lone goal victory at the MKO Abiola Stadium Abuja in the first leg and are hoping to either re-enact that performance or hold the hosts to a score or goalless draw at the Loftus Versfeld, Stadium in Pretoria to guarantee their ticket to the Paris 2024.

 Sevilla and Super Eagles midfielder Toni Payne expressed optimism that the Falcons will triumph in today's encounter.

"We have a lot of confidence from the last match, we have rested and are prepared we are determined to get to the Olympics" she assured in a chat with NFF tv ahead of the match. 

South Africa are still looking for a first win over the Falcons in any match at home soil, a record which Falcons are determined to maintain today.

In 24 previous encounters (with seven played in South Africa), Nigeria clinched 15, with five ending in draws and South Africa winning on four occasions all away.

The Randy Waldrum tutored side had after the first leg lone goal victory in Abuja described is as "One step closer to target"

Four Countries, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Morocco are locked in two legged play-offs to claim only two African slots to the Olympics which will hold from Fri, 26 Jul 2024 – Sun, 11 Aug 2024.

Zambia who made a debut at the last Olympics in Japan look likely to miss the ticket this time after losing 2-1 at home to visiting Morocco. The second leg takes place today at the Prince Moulay El Hassan stadium in Rabat with Morocco taking 2-1 advantage to the match plus guaranteed vociferous home support that will further cement the deal.

Should the Atlas Lionesses make it to the Olympics as they are set to do, it will not only be their first time but it will be the first time Women team from North Africa will be featuring at the event.