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***As Abiodun, Echegini return
By Harry Awurumibe, Africa’s No.1 Women Football JournalJournalist
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has released the list of 21 invited players to the Super Falcons’ camp ahead of next week’s 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final qualifying round, first leg clash with the senior women national team of Cape Verde just as the list was dominated by familiar faces including FC Barcelona Feminine star Asisat Oshoala and first choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie of Paris FC of France.
Others in the list are veteran defender Osinachi Ohale of Pachuca FC, Mexico and stand-in captain Rasheedat Ajibade of Atletico Madrid FC, as well as the duo of Deborah Abiodun of University of Pittsburgh, USA and Jennifer Echegini of Florida State University, USA, who were excluded from the Paris 2024 Olympics qualifiers double header against Ethiopia last month.
According to a press statement made public by NFF Director of Communications Ademola Olajire on Monday in Abuja, Super Falcons Interim head coach Justin Madugu sent in the list of the players to the federation instead of Randy Waldrum whose contract expired last month and NFF is yet to make official statement on his status.
Back for Good….Attacking Midfielder Onyii Jennifer Echegini
The nine-time African champions will host the Cape Verdians at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja on Thursday, November 30, before both teams trade tackles in a return leg in Praia on Tuesday, December 5, 2023.
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 November 25 and 27.
The Falcons 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.
ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS: Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Christiana Obia (Edo Queens).
Defenders: 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); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France).
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); Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University, USA).
Forwards: 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); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain) .