The Nigerian women’s national team, the Super Falcons, have qualified for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Benin Republic in Abeokuta.
Building on their 2-0 first-leg victory, Nigeria took an early lead when defender Ashleigh Plumptre scored from a corner kick in the 11th minute.
However, Benin improved after halftime and equalized in the 61st minute through a Yasminath Djibril free kick.
The victory was marred for Nigeria by injuries to Deborah Abiodun and Esther Okoronkwo, who both had to be substituted.
Coach Justine Madugu acknowledged the team’s performance was below expectations, calling it a “tough game” and an “off day,” but expressed happiness at achieving the primary goal of qualification.
The nine-time African champions will now aim to secure a record-extending 11th title at next year’s tournament.
Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.
Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.
Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).
He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.
He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.
Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.
