Int’l Friendly: Super Falcons camp bubbles, 25 players hit Lagos 

By Harry Awurumibe, Africa’s No.1 Women Football Journalist, Abuja

As at breakfast Tuesday all the 25 players including the six foreign-based professionals have reported in Super Falcons camp at Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island,  Lagos. They are Paris FC safe-hands, Chiamaka Cynthia Nnadozie; Captain Rasheedat Busayo Ajibade of Atletico Madrid, Spain); midfielder Esther Onyenezide (Hapoel Katamon, Israel); defenders Chidinma Okeke of Club America, Mexico and Oluwatosin Demehin of Galatasaray Sportive FC, Turkey as well as attacker Gift Monday of UDG Tenerife, Spain.

Interim Head Coach Justine Madugu had invited only six foreign-based professionals and 19 home-based players for the two international friendly matches planned for nine-time African champions, Super Falcons against their Algerian counterparts in Lagos.

It is the first time that the Super Falcons are playing international friendly matches on home soil since the better forgotten Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament which was held at the same venue three years ago. Before then, they hosted the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project, Abuja in 2014.

Also, it will be the first re-grouping of the Super Falcons since the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France in the summer, and following the departure of American trainer Randy Waldrum.

The Algerian delegation is expected in Nigeria on Wednesday.

The Confederation of African Football has already approved the two games, which will be superintended by FIFA match officials from Benin Republic.

SUPER FALCONS TO PLAY ALGERI:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Monle Oyono (Edo Queens); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons).

Defenders: Chidinma Okeke (Club America, Mexico); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive FC, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Edo Queens); Florence Alexander (Bayelsa Queens); Blessing Ilivieda (Edo Queens); Sikiratu Isa (Nasarawa Amazons); Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens); Tessy Ojiyovwi (Nasarawa Amazons); Chidinma Ogbuchi (FC Robo Queens).

Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Esther Onyenezide (Hapoel Katamon, Israel); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Chioma Olise (Edo Queens); Josephine Matthias (Nasarawa Amazons); Amarachi Odoma (Edo Queens).

Forwards: Gift Monday (UDG Tenerife, Spain); Goodness Osigwe (Edo Queens); Janet Akekoromowei (Nasarawa Amazons); Delight Nwosu (Bayelsa Queens); Folashade Ijamilusi (Edo Queens); Mercy Omokwo (Bayelsa Queens); Olamide Bolaji (Remo Stars Ladies).