Super Falcons coach Thomas Dennerby has included captain Desire Oparanozie, Onome Ebi, Asisat Oshoala in his provisional squad for the final camp in Austria ahead of the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals taking place in France from 7th June to 7th July 2019, reports Completesports.com.
Dennerby also listed goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, defenders Josephine Chukwunonye, Osinachi Ohale and Ngozi Ebere; midfielders Rita Chikwelu and Halimatu Ayinde, and forward and Francisca Ordega, who all played key roles in the Super Falcons’ ninth continental triumph in Ghana late last year.
Dennerby left out Courtney Dike from the Super Falcons squad.
Dike, a graduate of Public Accountant from the Oklahoma State University, also missed the 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Uchenna Kanu, who has shown tremendous firepower at the ongoing WAFU Women’s Cup in Abidjan with eight goals in two matches, as well as home-based professionals; Amarachi Okoronkwo, Evelyn Nwabuoku, Chidinma Okeke and Chiamaka Nnadozie were also listed.
Nigeria’s final list of 23 players for the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals will emerge from this group of 27.
Four players will be droppes towards the end of the two-week camping in Austria, according to a report from the communications department of the Nigerian Football Federation.
Meanwhile, the African champions will depart from Abuja for Austria on Monday, 20th May for the Avita Resort in Bad Tatzmannsdorf – the same facility where the Super Eagles had their final camping programme just before the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The Super Falcons will then depart Austria on 4th June to Reims, where they will start their World Cup campaign against Norway on 8thJune.
The Super Falcons are in Group A alongside France Norway and South Korea.
27 Players For Super Falcons’ Pre-World Cup Final Camp
Goalkeepers: Tochukwu Oluehi (Rivers Angels); Alaba Jonathan (Bayelsa Queens); Chiamaka Nnadozie (Rivers Angels); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Confluence Queens)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Vaxjo DFF, Sweden); Ngozi Ebere (Arna Bjornar, Norway); Onome Ebi (Henan Huisanhang, China); Josephine Chukwunonye (Kungsbacka DFF, Sweden); Faith Michael (Pitea IF, Sweden); Chidinma Okeke (FC Robo)
Midfielders: Cecilia Nku (Ferencvaros Torna, Hungary); Rita Chikwelu (Krstianstand DFF, Sweden); Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene (Eskiltuna United, Sweden); Evelyn Nwabuoku (Rivers Angels); Ogonna Chukwudi (Djurgardens IF, Sweden); Halimatu Ayinde (Eskiltuna United, Sweden); Amarachi Okoronkwo (Nasarawa Amazons)
Forwards: Desire Oparanozie (En Avant Guingamp, France); Anam Imo (Malmo FC Rosengard, Sweden); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona, Spain); Chinaza Uchendu (SC Braga, Portugal); Uchenna Kanu (Southeastern University, USA); Rasheedat Ajibade (Alvadsnes IL, Norway); Francisca Ordega (Shanghai W. FC); Ini-Abasi Umotong (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Alice Ogebe (Rivers Angels).
By Johnny Edward
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COMMENTS
hmmm! why dropping Courtney dike? abi she no agree to give ogunje ne? personally oo, wannabbee or derneby no b coach. no tactics nor formations… only kick and follow we d play.
The question you should ask is which club does Courtney Dike play for currently. Can you name her club?Women’s football has gone pro at the highest level. Courtney currently qualified as a CPA, which shows sheis currently more involved with academics than pro football. No serious coach would go to a high level tournament with someone not playing regularly at a high level.
Pls ask him o. Pls ask him also, when last he saw Courtney Dike playing. Also ask him where he was standing while watching Thomas Dennerby collecting egunje. That coach he claims has no tactics/formations has a world cup bronze medal hanging somewhere in his home.
Some people are just stark ………!
Unless today was the deadline, I don’t think it is a good decision to release this list in the middle of the WAFU tournament where some of the girls were hoping to impress and make the provisional list. Such decisions can demoralise the girls that were dropped, while the ones included in the list may relax having nothing more to prove in the tournament, eventually leading to poor team performance in subsequent games. The WAFU tournament may not be highly rated in the world Calender, but it is an important tournament for us as a nation. It’s high time we know that our performance in every single game matters. That’s how great teams build the fear factor that wins them games ever before kickoff of the match.
That said, I believe this is a very good squad, truly representing our very best. Although I’m a bit surprised that Courtney Dike and Osarenoma Igbinovia did not make the cut. As for Antionette Payne, it was becoming pretty obvious that she was not ready for Nigeria yet – I started sensing that when she couldn’t make the friendly games in Spain (apparently due to injury), and also missed out of the WAFU tournament (probably due to club commitments). But since she’s not yet an established player in the team, it was always going to be difficult to crash into the team just for the World Cup. I still believe though that Antionette has a long career ahead with the Super Falcons.
All in all, I believe coach Dennerby has selected the best players we have on offer. I can only wish him and the team the very best as we head to the World Cup.
Abeg wetin happen to CHINWENDU IHEZUO. Abi she woundjure. Babe with confam left foot. Or is there a better lefty on the list
Bros don’t mind CS. They can’t even count. They have listed 26 names instead of 27. Ihezuo is the missing name.
Goalkeepers: Tochukwu Oluehi (Rivers Angels); Alaba Jonathan (Bayelsa Queens); Chiamaka Nnadozie (Rivers Angels); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Confluence Queens)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Vaxjo DFF, Sweden); Ngozi Ebere (Arna Bjornar, Norway); Onome Ebi (Henan Huisanhang, China); Josephine Chukwunonye (Kungsbacka DFF, Sweden); Faith Michael (Pitea IF, Sweden); Chidinma Okeke (FC Robo)
Midfielders: Cecilia Nku (Ferencvaros Torna, Hungary); Rita Chikwelu (Krstianstand DFF, Sweden); Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene (Eskiltuna United, Sweden); Evelyn Nwabuoku (Rivers Angels); Ogonna Chukwudi (Djurgardens IF, Sweden); Halimatu Ayinde (Eskiltuna United, Sweden); Amarachi Okoronkwo (Nasarawa Amazons)
Forwards: Desire Oparanozie (En Avant Guingamp, France); Anam Imo (Malmo FC Rosengard, Sweden); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona, Spain); Chinaza Uchendu (SC Braga, Portugal); Uchenna Kanu (Southeastern University, USA); Rasheedat Ajibade (Alvadsnes IL, Norway); Francisca Ordega (Shanghai W. FC); Ini-Abasi Umotong (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Alice Ogebe (Rivers Angels)
.
From another site, and still no ihezuo
.
Truth is, after that fluke performance at u17 WC in azerbaijan where she scored 5 goals in one game, Ihezuo has not done enough to justify here continual inclusion in the falcons. Even her performance at u20 level wasn’t anything to credit, given that she was clearly outshone by the likes of oshoala, dike, sunday and ayila.
I can count with the fingers of one hand how many goals and assists she has put in for the senior sides after leaving the u17 level.
Of what use is a good handwriting to a student who perpertually scores F….??? Of what use is her “confam” left foot if she cant score or assist in matches for the falcons…???
Im not in any what surprised that she isnt on this list. It was long coming. More girls are stepping up to the plate by the day.
Check the NFF site. Ihezuo is there.
I just checked now and I saw it.
Now that’s where the confusion comes from, the press has 26…NFF website have 27. Is someone trying to smuggle names into the list, or did the NFF press secretary omit the last name from the list released to the press…?
But that notwitstanding….Ihezuo will need to turn up with some really magical stuff, if she is to displace any of these strikers, bcos my guts tell me Dernerby will end up dropping 1 Gk, 1 Midfielder and 2 strikers.
MY main concern is the defence line,they are quite old and would be found out for pace.Really hoped the coach could spice up the defence with young ladies.
I don’t have any faith in these old cargoes. They beat Niger 15.0. Is Niger France or is Mali Norway?
SMH.
That is to show that you arent even well informed…! The team that is currently playing in the WAFU tournament is entirely different from the ones preparing for the world cup. Apart from 2 or 3 of them that was selected to join the main team, the rest are just home based players being tested for further engagements. The main team is currently in austria preparing for the world cup. It just happened that the WAFU tournament fell around this time when teams are also preparing for the mundial…so pls dont get it mixed up.
It’s not contestable.Clearly the best collection of female footballers Nigeria can offer.Good job coach.
The journey to France has only just begun.
Meanwhile,Dennerby is gradually building a strong team to make Nigerians proud.It was difficult from the start as he has to start from the scratch having inherited a falcons team bereft of confidence.
Left in the oblivion by the NFF after winning the continental championship in Cameroon,he took the team to Ghana and came back with honours proudly so.
Acquitted himself well in high profile test games of late credit should be given to this hardworking Swede who i wish well in France.
Hopefully,he comes back with honours to make up for his dogged and relentless efforts in getting the team to shape in readiness for hostilities in France.