by Emmanuel Atanga | Jun 23, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Portugal will be without one of their most talented players, Barcelona playmaker Kika Nazareth, when they face Nigeria’s Super Falcons in a high-profile international friendly at the Estádio José Gomes in Amadora on Monday evening.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has been officially ruled out of the clash by head coach Francisco Neto, as confirmed by Portuguese outlet A Bola. Kika has not played since March 12, when she sustained a serious ankle ligament injury during a domestic cup match against Real Madrid—a setback that also forced her to miss the UEFA Women’s Champions League final.
Although the young star was included in Portugal’s provisional squad for the upcoming UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, her fitness remains a major concern. She participated in light training on Sunday, jogging with the squad before engaging in individual recovery drills. Further fitness assessments will be conducted in the coming hours to determine whether she can be included in the final Euro squad, which must be submitted to UEFA by midnight on Wednesday.
Kika has made 43 appearances and scored 10 goals for the Portuguese national team but has not featured since February. Her absence is a significant blow for the Navegadoras as they prepare to host the African champions in a critical pre-Euro test.
Meanwhile, the Super Falcons have already arrived in Lisbon and are expected to use the friendly as part of their final build-up to the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jun 23, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
As the countdown to the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) intensifies, Nigeria’s Super Falcons will take a crucial step in their preparations with a high-profile international friendly against Portugal’s Navegadoras on Monday evening at the Estádio José Gomes in Amadora.
While the match offers coach Justine Madugu a chance to fine-tune his team, the Super Falcons must tread carefully against a Portuguese side sharpening their blades for UEFA Women’s Euro 2025. Among the challenges that await Nigeria, three Portuguese stars stand out as potential game-changers: Tatiana Pinto, Jéssica Silva, and Carole Costa.
Tatiana Pinto – The Midfield Maestro:
A stalwart for Atlético Madrid and a veteran with over 100 international caps, 31-year-old Tatiana Pinto brings both elegance and grit to the heart of Portugal’s midfield. Her intelligent passing, spatial awareness, and tireless pressing allow her to dictate the rhythm of play. For Nigeria, containing Pinto will require a disciplined press, particularly from midfielders like Christy Ucheibe, to break her link-up play and disrupt Portugal’s transitions.
Jéssica Silva – The Attacking Menace:
At 30, Silva remains one of Portugal’s most dangerous forwards. Renowned for her dribbling flair, clinical finishing, and ability to cut inside from wide positions, Silva can punish even the slightest lapse in defensive focus. Nigeria’s backline, which recently kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Cameroon, must be vigilant and proactive to close down her spaces and intercept her incisive runs.
Carole Costa – The Defensive General:
Anchoring the Portuguese defense is Benfica’s seasoned center-back Carole Costa. A commanding presence with aerial prowess and Champions League pedigree, Costa marshals her backline with precision. For the Super Falcons’ frontline—led by the explosive Rasheedat Ajibade—quick transitions and clever movement will be key to bypassing Costa’s defensive wall.
As Nigeria continues to shape its squad for Morocco, this clash with Portugal offers a valuable litmus test. Overcoming the threat posed by Pinto, Silva, and Costa will not only boost morale but also offer vital insights ahead of WAFCON.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jun 23, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Soccer
Ghana’s Black Queens are ramping up their preparations for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a highly anticipated friendly clash against arch-rivals Nigeria’s Super Falcons on the horizon. Head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has expressed his enthusiasm about the chance to test his squad against Africa’s most successful women’s football team.
The Queens, who have been drawn into a challenging WAFCON group, are hoping their pre-tournament friendlies will build cohesion and sharpen their tactics. The Ghana Football Association has lined up three crucial matches: against Malawi, Botswana, and the fierce continental rivals Nigeria.
“We want to test ourselves against different playing styles and team dynamics,” Björkegren said. “Malawi and Botswana provide technical and disciplined opposition, while Nigeria offers the challenge of a traditional powerhouse.”
The Black Queens will begin their warm-up campaign against Malawi at the Ziaida Complex in Benslimane on Friday, June 21, before facing Botswana at the same venue on June 25. The grand finale of their friendly series will be against the Super Falcons on Friday, June 29, at the Lanouria Complex—a match being billed as a “Jollof Derby”.
Nigeria, under coach Austine Madugu, are not taking things lightly either. The nine-time African champions, still stinging from their 2022 WAFCON final loss to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, are determined to reclaim their crown in Morocco. Before meeting Ghana, the Super Falcons will test themselves against European opposition when they face Portugal on Sunday, June 23, at the Estádio José Gomes.
The stage is set for an intense build-up to the continental showpiece, and all eyes will be on the friendly encounters that could define both teams’ WAFCON journeys.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jun 23, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
After a stellar run across two continents, Nigerian striker Gift Monday was widely expected to be a sure bet for the Super Falcons’ final squad for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. But when head coach Justin Madugu unveiled his 23-woman list, Monday’s name was conspicuously absent — sparking a wave of reactions from fans and pundits alike.
Currently Nigeria’s fifth most valuable female footballer, the 23-year-old had been enjoying one of the best years of her professional career. She netted ten goals in Spain’s top flight for UD Tenerife before making a smooth transition to the NWSL with Washington Spirit, where she scored four times and recorded an assist in just nine games.
In spite of this form, Madugu opted for experience over momentum — recalling long-time stars Asisat Oshoala and Francisca Ordega, while handing a surprise debut to Malawi-born Chioma Okafor.
Rather than lash out, Monday responded with grace and reflection in a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter), making it clear she harboured no ill will.
> “Sometimes the hardest moments reveal the strength of our hearts,” she began.
“While it hurts and is a tough pill to swallow, I want to make it clear that I hold no grudges, no resentment. I am hale and hearty, fully fit, and still deeply in love with the game and the green white green.”
“Though I won’t be on the pitch with the team in Morocco, my heart will be there every step of the way… You carry the hopes of millions including mine. I’ll be watching. I’ll be believing. I’ll be back.”
Gift Monday’s journey with the Super Falcons began in 2018 at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. A year later, she captained Nigeria to gold at the African Games — the country’s first in 12 years. She also starred in the 2021 Turkish Women’s Cup triumph and featured in both the 2022 WAFCON and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Still only 23, the former FC Robo and Bayelsa Queens forward has already experienced the highs and lows of international football. After being named only an alternate for the 2024 Olympic qualifiers, this latest setback could have broken lesser spirits. But not Monday’s.
Her final words serve as both a promise and a prophecy:
> “I’ll be back.”
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jun 23, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
In the heart of Ar Rass, Saudi Arabia, William Troost-Ekong sits quietly, reflecting on the journey that has taken him from the pitches of Haarlem to the captain’s armband of one of Africa’s most iconic football teams—the Nigerian Super Eagles.
At 31, Troost-Ekong is no stranger to pressure or pride. His commanding performances at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations earned him the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award, despite Nigeria narrowly losing the final to hosts Ivory Coast. Now, with the 2025 AFCON in Morocco fast approaching and the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, the central defender is determined to go one better—and sign off his international career with silverware.
In an emotional interview with the Saudi Pro League, the former PAOK and Watford man laid bare his ambitions and the sense of duty he feels wearing the green and white of Nigeria.
> “It’s one of the biggest honours of my life—being captain of the Super Eagles. Besides being a father, this is the highest level of pride I’ve ever felt,” Ekong said.
“Nigeria is a huge football nation, blessed with incredible talent. But we’ve underachieved in many ways. That’s why I’m working every day to give my best—to help bring a major trophy home.”
Now plying his trade with Al-Kholood, Ekong is committed to staying fit and competitive to remain a key figure in the national team setup. While his Saudi club finished 9th in the recently concluded season, his focus remains fixed on leading a golden generation of Super Eagles players to continental and global success.
> “Our focus is to win the next AFCON and qualify for the World Cup. We were close last time, and it was a big lesson. But the hunger is greater now.”
Despite missing Nigeria’s recent Unity Cup win under new coach Eric Chelle, Troost-Ekong featured prominently in the 1-1 draw against Russia, anchoring the defence as a true leader.
His words also echoed a deeper connection—with fans, identity, and purpose:
> “I’m a Nigeria fan first. The love we feel when we play at home is unmatched. It’s more than football—it’s unity, belief, joy. That’s what we fight for.”
As 2025 draws closer, Ekong is not just thinking about medals—he’s chasing legacy.
