By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will on November 25, 2023 open camp for the final qualifying round of the 2024 Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) against Cape Verde.
The qualifier match will happen without out-of-contract United States Coach Randy Waldrum.
Another No Waldrum Show
Waldrum is said to be be in talks with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for a possible fresh deal.
Ahead of the two-legged clash, Super Falcons stand-in Coach Justin Madugu has invited 21 players to the camp.
This was disclosed by NFF via a press statement made available to Heritage Times HT in Abuja on Monday.
According to the NFF Communications department, “The nine-time African champions will host the Cape Verdians at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Thursday, 30th November, before both teams trade tackles in a return leg in Praia on Tuesday, 5th December.
“To be eligible for this final round, the Super Falcons accomplished a commanding 5-1 aggregate win over their counterparts from Ethiopia, with the first leg in Addis Ababa ending 1-1 before a 4-0 lashing of the ‘Lucy’ in Abuja.
“All invited players have been advised to report to the team’s camp in Abuja between 25th and 27th November.”
Full LFalcons fist of Invited Players
The invited players include goalkeepers – Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia) and Christiana Obia (Edo Queens).
The defenders are Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca FC, Mexico); Glory Edet (FCF TP Mazembe, DR Congo); Rihanat Kasali (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Akudo Ogbonna (Remo Stars Ladies) and Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France).
Also called up are midfielders – Christy Ucheibe (SC Benfica, Portugal); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain) and Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University, USA).
The Forwards include Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona Feminine, Spain); Esther Okoronkwo (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA) and Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain).
The Nigerian side have never failed to reach the Women Africa Cup of Nations since the competition was launched as the African Women Championship in Nigeria in 1998, and have swept nine out of 12 titles that have been contested so far.
