RandaFooty: Everything Nigerian football, home and abroad

Brazil celebrate and Flying Eagles ponder what hit them. PhotoCred-Getty Images So it's the morning after....no it's still the morning during..or how do I coin this? Well a couple of hours ago Nigeria lost 4-2 to Brazil in the opening game of Group E of the Fifa U20 World Cup in New Zealand. There was so much hype surrounding the team but they didn't fly as expected on match day. Joshua Enaholo's howlers gave Brazil the win even though the MFM goalkeeper did pull some saves in the game. Garba Manu started with Isaac Success and Taiwo Awoniyi, for me that was a mistake, but hey he is the coach. Like Solace Chukwu said on twitter, the starting X1 had no width and we couldn't make hay down the flanks which is usually our strength There is a lot I want to say but I lack words. Got across to Kingsley Sokari and Chidera Ezeh after the game but Sokari, who came on as a sub in the game could hardly mutter anything as he told me "Sorry bros, I no fit yarn

I had a long chat with John Ogu over the weekend about life in Israel, his season at Hapoel Be'er Sheva and what he had to do to improve his game. Dude is a good listener and a very intelligent football and person. What I liked most about our discussion is the fact he was willing to listen...a trait many of our footballers lack. When 'we' (journos) talk, it doesn't mean we don't like a player...well at least for me.. I do so because I want the player in question to improve and not like we are hating...far from that. I've been lucky to play the game and now write/talk/analyse it.....so I believe I shoud be able to add my 20 kobo to the discourse. Anyways away from that.....

Falcons celebrate. PhotoCredit: fifa.com Head coach of Super Falcons, Edwin Okon has released his list of 23 players for the 7th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals starting in Canada next week, including BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala, team captain Evelyn Nwabuoku and veteran goalkeeper Precious Dede. Top Scorer at the 2014 African Women Championship Desire Oparanozie, defenders Onome Ebi, Josephine Chukwunonye and Ngozi Ebere, mid fielder Halimatu Ayinde, veteran striker Perpetua Nkwocha and England-based Ini-Abasi Umotong are also included, as well as US –based forward Francisca Ordega. There was no place for goalkeeper Sandra Chiichi, 2012 FIFA U-17 World Cup top scorer Chinwendu Ihezuo and Nasarawa Amazons defender Mariam Ibrahim. Nigeria play Sweden, Australia and USA in Group D at the 7th FIFA Women’s World Cup, with their first match against Sweden in Winnipeg on Monday, 8th June.

A thousand and one apologies for not being on this front of late. A lot has been happeneing to me and thats why I haven't actually blogged for a while. Well, y'all will get to hear the full detains much later but I must add that the next few weeks will be loaded for Nigeria and Nigerian football. The presidency will change hands in the next few days as well as the beginnng of the Women's World Cup in Canada. The Fifa U20 World Cup in here too and the Super Eagles will start another attempt at qualifying for the Africa Nations Cup with a game against Chad in Kaduna on June 13. I will be at the Kaduna game by his grace but will watch all other games invlovng our national teams from the comfort of my home. Can I also add that the Nigeria Professional Foootball League has gone on break? Yes, there is a three week breaaka and then we are back to business, I'm already having a 'League withdrawal syndrome' and I'm sur it's the same with a lotta folks

Enyimba FC Vs Nasarawa Feeders (Oshogbo) – 4pm, 13 May Cardinal FC Vs Remo Stars (Warri) – 4pm, 13 May Junior Spotlight Vs Lobi Stars (Abuja) - 4pm, 13 May Zabgai FC Vs Niger Tornadoes (Kaduna) - 4pm, 13 May Heartland FC Vs Bizi Cashless (Abuja) - 4pm, 13 May FRSC FC Vs Sharks FC (Ibadan) - 4pm, 13 May Idah United Vs Spotlight FC (Jos) - 4pm, 13 May Kurmi Market Vs BJ Foundation (Ilorin) - 4pm, 13 May Kano Pillars Vs Zara FC (Gusau) - 4pm, 13 May Plateau United Vs Shooting Stars (Aba) - 4pm, 13 May Binani FC Vs Gateway FC (Abuja) - 1pm, 14 May El-Kanemi Warr. Vs Kwara Academy (Kaduna) – 4pm, 14 May Akwa Starlets Vs Kwara United (Enugu) - 4pm, 13 May ABU FC Vs Ajiroba FC (Lokoja) - 4pm 13 May Giwa FC Vs Kukuruku Dragons (Minna) - 4pm, 13 May Kaduna United Vs Enugu Rangers (Lokoja) - 4pm, 13 May Makwada Warr. Vs Jigawa Stars (Gombe) - 4pm, 13 May Nasarawa United Vs New Vision (Aba) - 4pm, 14 May El-Kanemi Babes Vs Abia Warr. (Lafia) - 4pm, 13 May Caliphate Warr. Vs Crown FC (Minna