The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced 150 percent increase in the prize money of the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.

The Super Falcons of Nigeria pocketed USD 200, 000 after emerging winners at the last edition of the competition four years ago in Ghana.

This time around, the overall winner will go home with USD 500 000.

The prize money for runners-up has almost doubled from USD 175 000 to USD 300 000 and the semi-finalists will get USD 225 000 each – increased from USD 125 000.

12 countries will participate in the competition for the first time at this year’s edition in Morocco.

The Nigeria women’s 4x100m relay team will compete at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA after France failed to name a team for the event.

The French Athletics Association on Thursday unveiled its list of athletes for the championships without including its women’s 4x100m relay team while six athletes viz Amandine Brossier, Shana Grebo, Diana Iscaye, Sokhna Lacoste, Sounkamba Sylla and Marjorie Veyssiere were named in the 4x400m team.

Although no official reason was given, checks by our correspondent reveal that the French cannot present a decent team for the event as the highest ranked sprinter out of the European nation is Mallory Leconte who is rated 148th in the world this year with an 11.33 seconds personal season’s best.

The other sprinters are ranked between 295 (Chloe Galet, 11.48 and Leelou Martial-Ehoulet, 11.48) and 421 (Serena Kouassi, 11.57).

France is one of the 10 countries which secured qualification for the 4x100m relay event at the 2021 World Relays in Poland.

Nigeria was not at the competition and had to compete for the remaining four spots on offer. Led by Blessing Okagbare, Nigeria secured her spot at the Tokyo Olympics following the relay team’s 42.97 seconds run at the Olympic Trials and Invitational Relays held in June 2021 in Lagos.

The result was within the qualification period for the Oregon 2022 World Championships and the Nigerians thought they could qualify as the 16th nation until Monday June 27, 2022 when the Athletics Integrity Unit announced a further one year ban on Okagbare.

The 33 year old was accused of additional anti-doping rule violations – specifically evading sample collection, and tampering or attempted tampering with the doping control process.

The significant consequence of the further one year ban was that Nigeria lost its qualification place for the women’s 4x100m relay.

This was because six days after Okagbare evaded sample collection (13 June 2021), she competed in the 4x100m relay event at the Nigeria Olympic Trials, with her relay squad qualifying for this year’s World Championships.

All individual and relay results involving Okagbare, from 13 June 2021, are now disqualified under the rules.

But with France’s decision not to name a women’s 4x100m relay team for the championships, Nigeria will move up from her 17th spot to 16, the final qualification spot.

Sprinters Favour Ashe and Favour Ofili; sprint hurdler Tobiloba Amusan, long jumper Ese Brume and 12 other Nigerian athletes are among the 1900 athletes who have qualified to compete at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 from 15-24 July.

Ashe, the Nigeria 100m champion will be making his first trip to World Athletics’ flagship event and will be joined by Alaba Akintola, Udodi Onwuzurike and Raymond Ekevwo to run in the 100m and the 4x100m relay.

Onwuzurike, the reigning World U20 champion and Akintola will also be competing in the 200m event.

Shot Putters Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and Isaac Odugbesan as well as 400m barrier runner Nathaniel Ezekiel complete the list of seven men whose qualification were confirmed by World Athletics following the close of the qualification window on Sunday.

For the women, the three sprinters who have broken 11 seconds this year have also secured the tickets to the championships.

Ofili, the reigning Nigerian 200m record holder indoors (22.46) and outdoor (21.96) have qualified to run in the 100 and 200m events.

Tokyo Olympics semifinalist Grace Nwokocha and former African Youth and Junior champion, Rosemary Chukwuma will also be in Oregon for the sprint events.

Little known Ezinne Abba who wants to switch allegiance to Nigeria from the USA is also through to the championships but may not be in the team following the inability of the women’s 4x100m relay to qualify for the competition.

Reigning World U20 400m champion, Imaobong Nse Uko will also be in Oregon after running 51.24 seconds to seal her passage.

African 100m hurdles record holder at 12.41 seconds Amusan will also be returning to the competition after missing the podium three years ago in Doha, Qatar by the narrowest of margins, placing fourth in the final.

Field eventers Sade Olatoye and Chioma Onyekwere will be in Oregon after sealing their qualification as area champions following their respective wins in the Hammer throw and Discus throw events at the 22nd African Athletics Championships in Mauritius early June.

Also through are jumpers Brume and Ruth Usoro.

Brume is returning to the championships after winning bronze three years ago in Doha while Usoro will be making her debut at the competition in the long jump event.

Meanwhile, the decision on the athletes who will dorn the country’s green and white colours in Oregon lies with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

The selection trials for the championships took place last weekend at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium Benin and the federation cannot pick outside the 16 who have met World Athletics’ entry standard.

16 Heading To Oregon

Women

100m
Favour Ofili
Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha
Rosemary Chukwuma
Tobi Amusan
Ezinne Abba (depending on her status)

200m
Favour Ofili
Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha
Rosemary Chukwuma
Tobi Amusan

400m
Imaobong Nse Uko

Long Jump
Ese Brume
Ruth Usoro

Triple Jump
Ruth Usoro

Discus Throw
Chioma Onyekwere

Hammer Throw
Oyesade Olatoye

Men

100m
Favour Ashe
Udodi Chudi Onwuzurike
Raymond Ekevwo
Alaba Olukunle Akintola

200m
Udodi Chudi Onwuzurike
Alaba Olukunle Akintola

400m Hurdles
Ezekiel Nathaniel

Shot Put
Chukwuebuka Cornnell Enekwechi
Issac Odugbesan

4X100m
Nigeria

4X400m Mixed
Nigeria

The Super Falcons will pocket the sum of $500 000 should they win the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco,

Nigeria are three-time defending champions, having most recently won the competition consecutively in 2014, 2016 and 2018.

They have been drawn in Group C, alongside South Africa, Botswana and Burundi.

Ahead of the 2022 WAFCON finals in Morocco, CAF has increased the prize money by 150 per cent.

The adjustment of the prize money is in line with the federation’s new policy of making the women’s competition in Africa globally competitive.

The tournament is set to start on July 2 when hosts Morocco will face Burkina Faso in the opener at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, in Rabat.

“The winner of this year’s edition will pocket $500 000 – a 150 per cent increase of $300,000.”

“Previous winners of this competition received $200,000,” CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced as per CafOnline ahead of this year’s 12-nation tournament.

“The overall prize money of the competition has been increased from $975,000 to $2,400,000, – an increase of almost $1.5m.

“The President of Caf and the Caf Executive Committee have identified women’s football as amongst the top priorities of CAF.”

The runners-up and the semi-finalists will also enjoy an increased monetary package as per the new policy.

“The prize money for runners-up has almost doubled from $175,000 to $300,000 and the semi-finalists will get $225,000 each, which has increased from $125,000,” CAF’s statement added.

Meanwhile, the chairperson of CAF’s Women’s Football Organizing Committee, Kanizat Ibrahim, has defended the competitiveness of WAFCON and hopes 2022’s stars will shine.

“Definitely, and without any doubt,” Ibrahim said when asked whether Wafcon is a competitive tournament. “This is the equivalent of AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations).

“At the very beginning, WAFCON was serving to only discover talents and players. Now we have world-famous players who, for a competition like this, come back to highlight their country, their continent.

“These women are ambassadors.”

“We can’t wait to see our own stars shining. Who is not eager to see what Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria does this year? Will the South African Thembi Kgatlana keep her title of best player acquired during the last edition? What will Ajara Njoya or Gabrielle Onguene do for Cameroon?

“Each of our teams now has renowned players.”

The tournament will end on July 23.

Former Super Super Eagles stars have questioned the exclusion of Africa’s most expensive signing Victor Osimhen from the list of nominees for Confederation of Africa Football’s Men’s Player of The Year award for 2022

The nominees for the CAF awards were released on Thursday, June 30 and it came as a shock to many that Osimhen was missing from the list.

Nigerian winger, Moses Simon was the only Nigerian nominated by CAF for the coveted award and some notable ex-internationals have querried CAF’s decision to leave out the 23-year-old from the list.

Former U-23 star and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games silver medallist, Femi Ajilore hoped that Osimhen was nominated for the award citing his achievements in Serie A.

“I would have wished Osimhen was among the nominees but I don’t know the criteria they used in picking those players,”Ajilore said.

“He has done so well and is the best young player in the Italian league. If a player can win the best young player in Serie A, it shows that he has a lot of potential, and when you look at the national level, he is one of our best at the moment, and for that reason, I think he deserves a spot and even if he doesn’t win it, at least, it’s a recognition of what he is doing.”

Sylvanus Okpala, a 1980 African Cup of Nations winner, believes that the decision does not take anything away from Osimhen as award panelists do not always pick the best.

“This is based on the decision of the panel, just like some coaches like a particular player and the way he plays, another coach will not like him. So, it’s based on discretion, which does not mean that those selected are the best, although sometimes, they are the best. When it is overwhelmingly obvious that you are playing very well in all the matches you play, then there is nobody to question your performance. In this case, it is on the discretion of those who are selecting.

“I would like Osimhen to have been there, he has been doing well, performing very well. I don’t know why his name is not there, I don’t know the criteria they used in selecting the players anyway but if you ask me, if I was on the panel, Osimhen’s name would be there. I am not saying he will win it eventually but at least his name will be mentioned.”

Former Eagles defender, Ifeanyi Udeze was also left aback at Osimhen’s exclusion but however stated that the 23-year-old striker was excluded from the list for missing the AFCON 2022 tournament in Cameroon.

“It was a surprise to me that Osimhen’s name was not on that list, there was a 30-man shortlist and his name was not there, I was shocked. I don’t know the criteria they are using for the nominations. I feel Osimhen was not on that list because he did not go for the African Cup of Nations and this affected his judgement, Moses was on that list because he performed for Nigeria in the AFCON, and he also helped his club side to win a cup at least.”

Udeze also advised Osimhen to look towards the next season rather than focus on the CAF award.

“I think Osimhen should just take that off his mind and work towards the new season and you never can tell, I’ll just wish him all the very best.”

Lewis Hamilton says he disagrees with fans at the British Grand Prix booing his rival Max Verstappen, saying: “We’re better than that.”

The Dutchman received jeers from a section of the crowd while he did his interview after qualifying second to Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz at Silverstone.

Hamilton, who was booed by Verstappen fans during their title fight last year, said: “I would say we don’t need to do that.

“No booing. We’ve got such great fans. Our sporting fans feel emotions up and down, but I definitely don’t agree with booing.”

However, Hamilton said he understood the emotions that may have led to the booing following the controversial conclusion to last year’s championship, when Hamilton lost an eighth world title after the race director failed to apply the rules correctly in the final race of the season.

“It doesn’t make any difference when you boo someone,” he said. “They’ve already made the mistake or whatever it is, but I really do appreciate the support I have here. Maybe some of them are feeling the pain here from last year.”

Verstappen said the behaviour of the fans “was a bit disappointing” because he could not hear the questions he was being asked by interviewer Billy Monger.

“It was a bit of a problem,” he said. “But the rest… if they want to boo, they can do that. For me it’s not going to change anything. I’m always happy to be here. It’s a great track, it’s a great atmosphere in general. Maybe some of them, they don’t like me, but that’s fine. They all have their own opinions, you know? I don’t care.”

And Hamilton’s Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff said: “We shouldn’t be seeing booing in any sports. That is unsportsmanlike.

“We love the support the drivers have here but if you are not into the other guys, remain silent, that would be a good way. No drivers deserve it, whatever happened last year, whatever the competition is.

“Being booed is abusive and that’s why the emotional sport that is controversial because you’re a fan and not a fan of one or the other driver, that’s good – but there is a certain limit we shouldn’t overstep.”

With the Nigeria Professional League on the home stretch, the League Management Committee (LMC) has released the statistics of the season.

There are three more match days to go, but Rivers United are already champions-elect awaiting their official coronation.

With 54 goals, Rivers United also emerge as the best attacking team this season. The club has also produced the most potent strikers – Chijoke Akuneto (16 goals) and Ishaq Rafiu  (14 goals).

In the 35 matchdays so far, Rivers United led 26 times.

It is their first title as United, even though as separate clubs, honours have been won by one of the two clubs that were merged to form the Rivers United.

First, Eagle Cement won the Nigerian title in 1997. The club changed name to Dolphins and won again in 2004 and 2011.

As at match day 35 – Total number of matches Played: 350 

Total No of Matches Won: 273

Total No of Matches Won at Home: 247

Total No of Matches Won Away: 26

Total No of Matches Drawn: 77 draws

Total No of Goals Scored: 707

Average Goals/Match: 2

Total No of Goals Scored at Home: 522

Total No of Goals Scored at Away: 185

Total No of Penalties Awarded: 86 

Total No of Penalties Scored: 65

Total No of Penalties not Scored: 21

Total No of Own Goals: 11

Total No of Yellow Cards: 1305 

Total No of Red Cards: 44

TOP GOAL SCORERS 

• Chijioke Akuneto -Rivers United – 16 goals
• Victor Mbaoma -Enyimba Int’l – 15 Goals
• Yusuf Abdullazeez -Gombe United – 14 Goals
• Ishaq Rafiu -Rivers United – 14 goals

Best Attacking Team: Rivers United- 54 goals

• Team with Worst Defense: Dakkada- 49 goals 

Highest MatchDays Leaders: Rivers United -26 times out of 35

Hosts Morocco got their 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign off to a winning start with a hard-fought 1-0 win over a gallant Burkina Faso at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex. 

Captain Ghizlane Chebbak’s free-kick just before the half-hour was enough to earn the North Africans their first win in the competition for 24 years.

The Atlas Lionesses were made to sweat for their win in the tournament opener in Group A, but ultimately got the job done, with captain Ghizlane Chebbak’s goal in the 29th minute enough to give the hosts a narrow win.

Playing in front of a passionate and partisan home crowd, Morocco were comfortably the better team on the night and were full value for their win.

For all their dominance though, coach Reynald Pedros’ side struggled to put away the Stallions, spurning good second half chances that fell to Rosella Ayyane and Imane Saoud.

The Moroccans, however, found goalkeeper Mariam Ouattara in fine form in repelling many of their attacks.

Matchwinner Chebbak was elected “Woman of the Match” and was quick to thank the Moroccan fans for coming out in numbers and for providing fervent support.

She called on them to be “just as present in the next meetings to achieve the goal of qualification for the World Cup”.

A semifinal spot and attaining automatic qualification for the FIFA World Cup would be a fantastic achievement for the hosts in their first staging of the WAFCON.

They showed last night, though, that they will be uncomfortable opponents in this tournament for any team, with the fanatical crowd behind them.

Chebbak promised that as the tournament progresses “the performance of the Lionesses will be better and that the whole group intends to make the Moroccan people happy.

Christian Ronaldo wants Manchester United to let him leave the club if they receive an appropriate offer for him this summer.

The Portugal forward, 37, returned to Old Trafford from Juventus last summer.

However, while he was United’s top scorer last season – and third in the Premier League – the overall campaign was seen as a big disappointment.

United finished sixth in the Premier League so missed out on Champions League qualification.

That means Ronaldo, who has a year left on his United contract plus an optional year, faces playing in the Europa League for the first time.

It is not something he is viewing with relish and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner feels there could be more attractive options available to him at this stage in his career.

The former Real Madrid forward is anxious to stress he respects United but as he enters the final stages of his career, he wants to compete for the biggest prizes.

It is understood United do not regard Ronaldo as a player who is for sale.

While it would be a blow to United’s prestige if they were to lose one of the greatest players they have ever had, it would also solve a few issues for new manager Erik Han Tag  

Ronaldo clashed with HARRY MAGUIRE over the United captaincy last season, while interim boss Ralf Rangnick’s desire to implement a pressing game was thwarted by Ronaldo’s refusal to fit in with such a system.