LA 2028 Olympics Race: Goal-happy Nkor, Oladipo, Moshood, 11 others train in Ikenne

By Harry Awurumibe, Editor-in-Chief, Abuja                                                                                        No fewer than 14 players trained on Monday evening as Nigeria’s Super Falcons commenced preparations ahead of Friday’s 2028 Olympics Women’s Football Tournament qualifying double-header against the senior women national team of Comoros at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo. Both teams will clash again in the return at the same venue on Tuesday evening.

This is even as forward Folashade Florence Ijamilusi of Lianiong Baiye in China has arrived Super Falcons camp as the number of players has risen to 15 as at the time of this report.

The team’s light training on Monday was an opportunity for both the players, coaching crew and backroom staff to familiarise and settle down for the task ahead of them.

The 10-time African champions, two years ago made their return to the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament after a 16-year absence, and the Falcons are determined to again show up in Los Angeles in the summer of 2028.

Meanwhile, the interim head coach of Super Falcons, Augustine Eguavoen has released Oluwakemi Adegbuyi (Most Valuable Player of the recently-concluded WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup competition in Yamoussoukro) and Favour Nkwocha (who featured for the Falconets at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland) back to the U17 women’s team, Flamingos.

The Flamingos are scheduled to fly out of Nigeria on Wednesday for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals taking place in Morocco.

Also, ace defender Ashley Plumptre has pleaded to be excused due to injury (sprain and ligament), and SL Benfica of Portugal duo of defender Oluwatosin Demehin and forward Flourish Sabastine will not be coming due to resident permit pursuits.

With five-time Africa Player of the Year Asisat Lamina Oshoala also pleading to be excused, Eguavoen has to call up Belarus-based former U20 team forward Blessing Okpe to take her place.

However, a total of 11 players are being expected in the Ijebu-Ode camp including defender Michelle Alozie, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Jennifer Echegini, and captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Gift Monday.

SUPER FALCONS IN CAMP: Goalkeeper: Christiana Uzoma. Defenders: Farida Abdulwahab; Tumininu Adeshina; Valentina Uroko; Glory Edet; Shukurat Oladipo; Glory Ogbonna. Midfielders: Oluchi Omenazu; Joy Igbokwe; Fatimoh Solaty, Suliat Abideen. Forwards: Shakirat Moshood; Blessing Nkor; Sandra John, Folashade Ijamilusi.

EXPECTED IN CAMP: Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie; Comfort Erhabor. Defender: Michelle Alozie. Midfielders: Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Jennifer Echegini. Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade; Gift Monday; Joy Omewa; Janet Akekoromowei; Uchenna Kanu.