Super Falcons midfielder Halimat Ayinde will not be part for the team at the 2024 Olympic Games due to injury.
Ayinde , according to her Swedish club Rosengard sustained the injury in training.
The 29-year-old was named in Nigeria’s squad for Paris 2024 by head coach Randy Waldrum on Wednesday.
Rosengard confirmed the news of her injury on their X account.
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“Halimatu Ayinde injured her knee during training and will miss the Olympics. We wish her a speedy recovery,” the club stated.
The defensive midfielder is one of the key stars in the Super Falcons squad.
She has battled with injuries in recent times missing key games for her club and Nigeria.
A replacement is now expected to be named for the former Eskilstuna United player.
Waldrum will pick a replacement from the quartet of Jumoke Alani, Ifeoma Onumonu , Gift Monday, and Morufa Ademola.
14 Comments
O ma se ooo.
We’ve lost a key player with this development.
Wishing speedy recovery.
Indeed Pompei, we just lost a trojan. One that would be very hard to replace.
But be as it may, I believe one of Peace Efih or Regina Otu can fill up the vacuum, if there is still time to do so. But Halimatu will be sorely missed. I emphasize with her.
She is irreplaceable!
A genuine trojan.
No argument there.
Waldrum should please draft Gift Monday in as replacement so that omo9ja can have some peace, I am to tired to read his lamentations this days!
Hahaha would you rather prefer Onumonu? I won’t be surprised if she’s named you know our country.
Perhaps Jumoke Alani can be drafted in as a makeshift defensive midfielder. She is a plausible full back who could repurpose her skills in midfield.
To be honest, Ayinde will be sorely missed. She is such a rock in that midfield with a unique brand of played honed over many years with sharpness of a razor in her response rate.
It will be interesting to see who Waldrum picks. If he looks outside the alternate list, then Peace Efih, Esther Onyenezide or Regina Otu will be in the running.
I will pick Esther Onyenezide from the crowd due to her vision, creativity and keen eye for goals. A most unlikely wildcard is Taiwo Afolabi but she’s more of an attacking midfielder.
I don’t we can pick outside of the alternate list, once the list has been submitted.
Thanks 9jaRealist. I think you are right.
SPEEDY RECOVERY CHAMP!
A huge loss, and why listing someone like Shukurat Oladipo, who can play very well in defense and midfield (even in attack), would have been the better option instead of Jumoke Alani (with no personal disrespect to her), who is yet another natural RB when there are already 3 natural RBs in Michelle Alozie, Nicole Payne and Chidinma Okeke (although Okeke will play at LB, and both Nicole and her sister Toni, even Michelle can play as ‘emergency’ LBs or LWBs).
Anyway, no need to wail over spilled milk. GOOD LUCK LADIES!
You are so right @Realist. We need a player far better for the role.
It’s a big blow. Alimah Ayinde is one of the engines in the Super Falcons. So painful. I wish her a speedy recovery.
The list is a very good one. I will be happy if the coach can reconsider Gift Monday. That lady is very good. All the best Super Falcons. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
I talk am ….. Lol
Honestly guys, Ayinde is if not the best player in that falcon team her work rate is superb.we will miss you girl and hope you recover on time .