Sports Revelation Online ..breaking authenic sports reports
By Harry Awurumibe, Abuja.
In a bid to beat today’s deadline set for the submission of the final list of 23 players by participating countries in the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup slated for France, Nigeria’s Head Cach, Thomas Dennerby has complied with the directive by releasing a strong squad that will represent the nation in the competition.
There was no much surprise inclusion in the team as the coach kept faith with the bulk of players whom he paraded in the last Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) Ghana 2018 final. The Super Falcons won their 9th trophy at the event.
For this reason, the Swede tactician and his assistants settled for the usual suspects including the Three-Time African Woman Footballer of the Year, Asisat Lamina Oshoala; Captain-Desire Ugochi Oparanozie and World Cup veterans Rita Chikwelu and Onome Ebi who is going for her 5th World Cup event.
Expectedly, three out of the four home-based goalkeepers made the cut as Tochukwu Oluehi, Chiamaka Cynthia Nnadozie, and Alaba Jonathan are picked while the lucky outfield domestic players in the final list are Alice Oya Ogebe, Chidinma Okeke, Evelyn Nwabuoku, Amarachi Okoronkwo and Uchenna Grace Kanu who returned to the domestic scene recently.
Sadly, the biggest casualties are England-based Ini-Abasi Umotong; ex-junior international, Josephine Chukwunonye and goalkeeper Christy Ohiaeriaku who could not make the final list based on the coach’s consideration of his match strategies and those who have adapted to his style of play going to the World Cup.
In all Dennerby picked 3 goalkeepers, 5 defenders, 6 midfielders and 9 attackers to signal that Nigeria as a tradition will play attacking football at the World Cup.
23 SUPER FALCONS FOR 8TH FIFA WORLD WOMEN’S CUP FINALS
Goalkeepers: Tochukwu Oluehi (Rivers Angels); Alaba Jonathan (Bayelsa Queens); Chiamaka Nnadozie (Rivers Angels)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Vaxjo DFF, Sweden); Ngozi Ebere (Arna Bjornar, Norway); Onome Ebi (Henan Huisanhang, China); Faith Michael (Pitea IF, Sweden); Chidinma Okeke (FC Robo)
Midfielders: Rita Chikwelu (Krstianstand DFF, Sweden); Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene (Eskiltuna United, Sweden); Evelyn Nwabuoku (Rivers Angels); Ogonna Chukwudi (Djurgardens IF, Sweden); Halimatu Ayinde (Eskiltuna United, Sweden); Amarachi Okoronkwo (Nasarawa Amazons)
Forwards: Desire Oparanozie (En Avant Guingamp, France); Anam Imo (Malmo FC Rosengard, Sweden); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona, Spain); Chinaza Uchendu (SC Braga, Portugal); Uchenna Kanu (Southeastern University, USA); Rasheedat Ajibade (Alvadsnes IL, Norway); Francisca Ordega (Shanghai W. FC); Alice Ogebe (Rivers Angels); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Henana Huisanhang, China)