By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s senior women football team also known as the Super Falcons have begun preparations ahead of their 2024 Olympics qualifier against their Ethiopian counterpart.
Already, the team’s head coach Randy Waldrum has invited 22 players without captain Onome Ebi.
A statement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), made available to Heritage Times HT revealed that goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Osinachi Ohale and forward Asisat Oshoala headline a list of invited players to the Super Falcons’ camp.
The Qualifier Schedule
Ethiopia will host the first leg of the second-round fixture in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, October 25, with the second leg in Nigeria on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
This is after Ethiopia eliminated Chad in the first round of the series as nine-time African champions Nigeria drew a bye.
Women Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying Tie
The Super Falcons, who finished 8th at the 32-team FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand in the summer, also drew a bye to the third round of the 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations qualification series, after Sao Tome and Principe’s senior girls scratched the tie.
The Falcons will be up against their counterparts from Cape Verde in the third round of that series at the end of November.
Olympics Host And Nigeria’s Pedigree
Paris, France will host next year’s Women Olympic Football Tournament.
The Super Falcons played at the Olympics in 2000, 2004 and 2008.
Full List Of Invited Super Falcons
The goalkeepers are Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Monle Oyono (Bayelsa Queens).
Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca FC, Mexico); Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Nicole Payne (Paris Saint Germain, France); Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France) make up the Defence pack.
The Midfielders are Halimatu Ayinde (Rosengard FC, Sweden); Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Regina Otu (AS Saint Etienne, France).
Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona Feminine, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Opeyemi Ajakaye (FC Robo Queens) are part of the Forwards.
