Paris 2024: CAF names match officials for Cameroon, Nigeria Olympic qualifiers double-header

**As NFF invites 21 Falcons for camping

By Harry Awurumibe, Africa’s No.1 Women Football Journalist                Ahead of the Paris 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament African qualifiers double-header between Cameroon and fierce rivals Nigeria, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Ugandan official Shamirah Nabadda as Center Referee for the first leg of the fixture billed for Stade de la Reunification in Douala, Cameroon on Friday, February 23, 2024.

Her compatriots Lydia Nantabo, Jane Mutonyi and Diana Murungi will serve as Assistant Referee 1, Assistant Referee 2 and Fourth official respectively. Khadija Rezzag from Morocco will be the Referee Assessor while Lukusa Kanjinga from Democratic Republic of Congo will be the Match Commissioner.

Also, CAF has appointed the officials for the second leg tie in Nigeria slated for Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Monday, 26th February 26, 2024. They are Namibian officials Ndemugwanitha Twanyanyukwa as Center Referee, with her compatriots Eveline Augustinus, Olivia Amukuu and Vistoria Shangula in the roles of Assistant referee 1, Assistant referee 2 and Fourth official respectively.

Meanwhile, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has released the list of 21 players invited by the returning head coach Super Falcons and chief coach of Pittsburgh Panthers, women’s soccer club of University of Pittsburgh, Randy Waldrum, to report to camp in Abuja next week.

Among the players NFF called up for the qualifiers fixture against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon next week are acting captain Rasheedat Ajibade; first choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie; five-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala and forward Esther Okoronkwo as well as goalie Tochukwu Oluehi; defenders-Osinachi Ohale and Oluwatosin Demehin; midfielders- Deborah Abiodun and Christy Ucheibe, and forwards Toni Payne, Uchenna Kanu and Omorinsola Babajide are also invited.

Also, versatile defenders Ashleigh Plumptre, Mitchelle Alozie and midfielders Halimat Ayinde and Jennifer Echegini make their return to the fold since the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia last year summer.

This fixture is the third round of the African qualifying series, and the penultimate round of the series before the continent’s flag-bearers to the 2024 Olympics are known ahead of the Games in five months’ time.

SUPER FALCONS TO BATTLE CAMEROON

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens).

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Akudo Ogbonna (Remo Stars Ladies); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France).

Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosengard, Sweden); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Jennifer Echegini (Juventus Ladies, Italy); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain).

Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Esther Okoronkwo (Henan FC, China); Ifeoma Onumonu (SLC Utah, USA); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain).