Cup holders Nigeria’s Super Falcons have commenced a training camp at the country’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja ahead of next month’s 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals holding in Morocco.
July’s colourful house-party in the North African kingdom is expected to generate greater media and global public interest than ever, with the exponential rise in the stature of women’s football helped by the tremendous gains of the last Women’s World Cup in France, robust deliberations on pay parity (with the men) and FIFA’s decision to hike the number of participating teams at next year’s Women’s World Cup finals to 32 – same as for the men’s World Cup.
Head Coach Randy Waldrum and assistants have the interesting challenge of quality and quantity of players – a useful blend of the old guard, talented youngsters from the home front and a number of skillful foreign-born stars who have been holding their own brilliantly.
As at Friday morning, there were 19 players in camp, including captain Onome Ebi, alongside goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Tochukwu Oluehi, defenders Osinachi Ohale and Akudo Ogbonna, midfielders Rita Chikwelu and Rasheedat Ajibade, and forwards, Asisat Oshoala and Gift Monday.
US –based goalkeeper Yewande Balogun, defender Michelle Alozie and midfielders Amanda Mbadi and Toni Payne were being expected in camp on Friday.
Read Also: WAFCON 2022: It’s Time To Dethrone Super Falcons — Kgatlana
Forwards Desire Oparanozie and Uchenna Kanu, as well as midfielder Regina Otu and US –based defender Nicole Payne will arrive in Abuja by the weekend.
England –based defender Ashleigh Plumptre, midfielder Halimatu Ayinde and forwards, Francis Ordega , Vivian Ikechukwu and Ifeoma Onumonu are to join the squad in Morocco next week.
Nigeria, who have won nine of the 11 Women Africa Cup of Nations championships held so far, bundled out Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire in the qualifying series and will play South Africa, Botswana and Burundi in the group stages in Morocco.
They go up against the Banyana Banyana in their first match at the Prince Heritier Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Monday, 4th July, before matches against Botswana (Thursday, 7th July) and Burundi (Sunday, 10th July) at the same venue.
All four semi finalists at the tournament in Morocco will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia/New Zealand in the summer of 2023.
ALREADY IN CAMP: Onome Ebi, Rita Chikwelu, Osinachi Ohale, Tochukwu Oluehi, Glory Ogbonna, Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Chidinma Okeke, Rita Akarekor, Gift Monday, Opeyemi Sunday, Charity Adule, Christy Ucheibe, Suliat Abideen, Chinonyerem Macleans, Peace Efih, Ugochi Emenayo, Akudo Ogbonna
4 Comments
Our Journalists atimes no dey crosscheck their write-ups before publishing it. U said as at Friday morning,19 players were already in the camp including Francisca Ortega ND Oshola,now u are still telling us that Francisca Ortega,is among those that will join the team in Morocco next week. Oga Francisca Ortega dey two? Anyways Good luck to the Team
Super Falcons coach sir! As you start your preparation for women afcon, I would like to suggest to you that you play Oshoala in the midfield.She was one the best combative midfielder in her under 20 days before the tides started changing.She can play as defensive/ attacking midfielder which will be a big plus.Combining her with Ajibade and Otu will be a very solid midfield.She could score more goals from such positions knowing that such burden is not hanging on her shoulders.She has the strength and the technicalities. This on it’s own will allow for two strikers at a time knowing that we have two skillful and quick Ajibade and Oshoala at the middle.
This will remove the goal burden from her and watch the goal assassin produce some magic for you.John Obi Mikel was chelsea gateman but he was Super Eagles creative midfielder.I am not a professional coach but I know this will boost Oshoala’s confidence
Her first touch is suspect, she gets frustrated and moody easily if she is not having her way, this is not what midfielders are made of. Rashidat will be a better draft to the midfield.
Let’s go for Afcon number 10!