Head coach Justine Madugu has selected captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and forwards Francisca Ordega and Asisat Oshoala among a list of 24 players for the Super Falcons’ quest for a 10th continental title at the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals to be staged 5th – 26th July in Morocco.
A healthy percentage of the squad started training sessions in the Federal Capital, Abuja on Thursday, and will also train on Friday and Saturday, before their departure to the final training camp in Lisbon, Portugal on Sunday morning.
Madugu has also picked Saudi Arabia-based flamboyant defender Ashleigh Plumptre, US-based fans’ favourite Michelle Alozie, veteran defender Osinachi Ohale and midfielders Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini and Christy Ucheibe.
Home-based goalkeeper Rachael Unachukwu and defenders Sikiratu Isah and Miracle Usani also make the cut, while midfield lynchpin Halimatu Ayinde makes a return to the fold.
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Already, the Nigeria Football Federation has sealed friendly matches for the team with the senior women national teams of Portugal and Ghana, to put them in a competitive mood ahead of their group B encounters against Tunisia, Botswana and Algeria at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
The Falcons go up against their Portuguese counterparts in Lisbon on Monday, 23rd June, and will then take on the Black Queens of Ghana in Morocco on Sunday, 29th June.
Full List
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (just finished contract with Paris FC, France); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Edo Queens)
Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (just finished contract with Atletico Madrid, Spain); Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosenburg, Sweden); Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)
Forwards: Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Chioma Okafor (University of Connecticut, USA)
12 Comments
Uchenna Kanu, Gift Monday, and Rofiat Imuran out? The commission of Chidinma Okeke is fine for me, though. She was minus 1 at the Olympics.
That midfield is solid. We look really strong there.
I am not one to complain about a final list but some true heavyweights are absent from this Wafcon list.
Uchenna Kanu, a mainstay of the Super Falcons in recent seasons, will stay at home for this one.
No Gift Monday, no Rofiat Imuran, no Nicole Payne who, in truth, is always in the periphery of the team.
Goodness Osigwe, in another universe, will make this team with her younger legs and lungs if uninjured.
That said, it looks a strong squad on paper, one capable of making a podium finish in the tournament.
Let’s hope, after the tournament, some long-serving patriots will serve their papers of resignation, paving the way for fresh legs and faces on the flanks and in the goalkeeping departments.
Uchenna KANU, at the moment is more useful than oshoala, and ordega.
You said Asisat in the squad but she’s not in the list your drop.
Watch out for Chioma Okafor, good nigeria got her now before we lose her to USA or Malawi. She is a baller.
This is a killer squad.
Why did Gift Monday, Rofiat Imuran and Nicole Payne not make the squad?
We need to know the coach. Good luck our Super Falcons. Mama of Africa, go make us proud once again. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Killer squad with Oshoala leading the attack?
Assisat is a surprise Name I saw there, there is no doubt she has dropped in form as attested to her lacklustre performances at club and national level, she now plays “oga madam game” no more energy and fire.
Pls somebody must tell her she needs to fight for a chance.
Imade ‘s non inclusion is a loss for our team but let’s hope Okafor who plays like her will fill in the gap.
In all it’s a decent list, I wish them the best.
Coachie needs to explain the exclusion of Gift Monday. Players like her are not included in the team calls to question the criteria used. We, the people, want an explanation. A media conference will do, but it needs to be explained.
Chidi harmony
Edna imade should have been given a chance what is this man doing by inviting
francisca ordega
Asisat Oshoala. Surprised based on her current form is Gift Monday omitted in the list.
Here we dey carry politics enter football
The Super Falcons list looks good but names like Chidinma Okeke, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu and in form Gift Monday inclusion would have made sense.Except they are nursing injuries.
My little concern is the formation the coach will adopt, as none of our listed mid fielders on a good day does not deserves to start..