Nigeria Premier League

Cancer survivor Caicedo, 18, set to make Women’s World Cup debut

Published

1 year ago

July 24, 2023

At 15, Linda Caicedo, now a star forward on Colombia’s Women’s World Cup roster, received a crushing diagnosis. She had ovarian cancer.

Caicedo already had made her debut for Colombian professional team América de Cali and the Colombian senior women’s national team.

With this news, though, her soccer career seemed over.

“I remember I was going into surgery one day and I was feeling really bad,” Caicedo said, “because I thought that I was not going to be able to play top-level football again.”

The Colombian women’s team head coach, Nelson Abadía, provided words of encouragement over the phone.

“He said, ‘No, just relax,’” Caicedo recalled. “‘You’re going to come back.’”

She’s now one of the best young players in the world.

The 18-year-old Caicedo is expected to make her Women’s World Cup debut in Colombia’s opener against South Korea on Tuesday at the Sydney Football Stadium.

To those battling cancer, Caicedo has a message: “I am an example that you can get out of that and overcome this.”

Tuesday’s match also could mark the World Cup debut of 16-year-old South Korea forward Casey Phair. Born to a Korean mother and American father and raised in the U.S., Phair is not expected to start. Should she play, she would become the youngest player ever to play in a World Cup, men’s or women’s.

“We just take it day by day,” South Korea coach Collin Bell said Monday, responding to questions about Phair. “I don’t really want to hype up the young player too much before she’s even played.”

While Phair’s role is not certain, Caicedo is expected to start and play a large part in Colombia’s efforts. For Colombians, she represents the potential of women’s football both domestically and internationally.

“She’s everybody’s hope,” said Valentina Peña Orozco, sports director at W Radio Colombia. “Linda is Colombia’s promise.”

Caicedo played in Colombia’s Liga Femenina for several years before signing with Real Madrid in February. She tied for the scoring lead at the 2021 Copa Libertadores Femenina for Deportivo Cali and was named the best player in the 2022 Copa América Femenina.

Her performance at the Copa América helped secure Colombia’s spot in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Caicedo also scored twice and recorded four assists in 10 appearances for Real Madrid last season.

Colombia’s match against South Korea could prove pivotal, as the two nations are expected to compete for a spot in the knockout rounds from Group H. Germany and Morocco also are in the group.

Abadía has coached Caicedo since she was 12 and brought her into the senior team when she was 14. He’s been Colombia’s national women’s team coach since 2017.

“ We know the players’ enormous ability, and we know that those brilliant moments that each one has — we’re going to have them,” he said.

Author

Ambrose Ijeh

View all posts

Nigeria Premier League

Lobi Stars Face Sunshine in Ijebu Ode in NPFL Matchday 12 Clash

Published

14 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Lobi Stars Face Sunshine in Ijebu Ode in NPFL Matchday 12 Clash

Following the team’s recent victory over Abia Warriors, Lobi Stars’ head coach, Mika Lönnström, has urged his team to maintain momentum as they aim to exit the relegation zone against Sunshine Stars.

A full-strength squad, including Ossy Martins, and Emmanuel Nnaji, will travel to Ijebu Ode, while Moses Tsehuan, Itodo Akor, and Samuel Tiza remain sidelined due to injury.

The two teams have a history of home wins, with Lobi Stars securing a 3-2 home victory in their previous encounter in Lafia, while Sunshine Stars won 2-0 in a reverse in Akure.

Key players to watch include Ossy Martins, Segun Olorintoba, and Sunshine Stars’ trio of David Obiazo, Seth Mayi, and Tunde Sodiq.

Dipo Dino International Stadium will host the highly anticipated match.

Author

Ambrose Ijeh

View all posts

Nigeria Premier League

Lagos FA Ready For Super Falcons, Algeria Friendly

Published

3 weeks ago

October 28, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Lagos State Football Association has reiterated its readiness to host the second leg of the friendly matches between the Super Falcons and the Green Ladies of Algeria.

The match is slated to hold at the prestigious Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos. And towards a successful hosting, the Lagos FA, was today represented by Hon. Damilare Orimoloye, the SSA On Sports to His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who hosted both teams to a reception Monday, at the State House.

Hon. Orimoloye, who is also a board member of the LSFA, speaking on behalf of FA Chairman Hajji Gafar Liameed, who travelled outside the country, enthused that Lagos FA, would as usual, put in its best efforts to ensure a seamless organisation of the international match.

The Super Falcons on Saturday defeated their Algerian counterparts 2-0, courtesy of a brace by Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade, in the first leg played at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne.

Author

Ambrose Ijeh

View all posts

Nigeria Premier League

1472 FC Unveils New Jerseys For 2024/ 2025 Season

Published

3 weeks ago

October 28, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Lagos based NNL side, 1472 Football Club last Saturday at the high-brow HEREL Play, Ikoyi, Lagos, unveiled it’s new sets of playing kits for the 2024/2025 NNL season.

The fast-growing football club owned by UK-based successful businessman and entrepreneur, Dozy Mmobuosi, is set to take the Nigerian football scene by the storm.

The well-attended and glamorous event attracted top football personalities and people from different walks of life that included Hon. Desmond Elliott, Gliffeth Wonuigwe, CEO of GAS Group International and the Secretary of Lagos State Football Association, Akeem Rabiu-Okikiopusu.

Speaking during event, the Chief Executive Officer of the team, Seyi Jones remarked, “If you recall, last season we started on a bright note by winning all our matches. And suddenly, distractions caused us to lose focus. But now, I make bold to say, we are back on our feet much stronger.”

Jones noted that the drive and passion of Dozy Mmobuosi, to use football as a catalyst for social change, is a strong force. Adding that the team aims to develop global football stars. And towards achieving that, the management of the team are working on some synergies that would give the desired results.

The experienced football administrator continued, “My plan is to see our team join the elite clubs in the NPFL and move players to some of our partnered clubs abroad.

On the uniqueness of the team, he said, “We came about the name 1472 FC, because that was the century, Lagos was discovered by the Portuguese explorers. The club belongs to Lagosians.”

He called on well-placed individuals, investors and corporate bodies to come forward to support the team, as it plans to make the state and Nigeria proud.

“1472 FC is your team, especially the Surulere axis where we pitch our tent. Let them take ownership by coming all out to support their darling team,” he added.