EXCLUSIVE! Madugu picks Nnadozie, Ajibade, 6 NWFL players to start against Algeria  

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

In a bold step to give home-grown young talents the opportunity to shine, Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has included six  Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) players in the start-list of today’s international friendly match between Nigeria and Algeria billed for Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun state,  Prompt News exclusively gathered.

This is even as five out of the six foreign-based professionals will also start with only defender Chidinma Okeke of Club America, Mexico dropping to the bench with her place taken by Miracle Usani of Edo Queens who will pair Blessing Ilivieda also of Edo Queens; Sikiratu Isa of Nasarawa Amazons and Oluwatosin Demehin of Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey in the backline of Nigeria.

It means that safe-hands Chiamaka Cynthia Nnadozie of Paris FC has retained her position alongside captain Rasheedat Busayo Ajibade of Atletico Madrid, Spain; Esther Chinemerem Onyenezide of Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem, Israel and Gift  Monday of UDG Tenerife,  Spain start too.

Other home-based players in the lineup in the match against Algeria’s Les Fennecs in Ikenne are midfielder are Edo Queens’ Chioma Olise; Mercy Omoku of Bayelsa Queens and Folashade Ijamilusi of Edo Queens FC respectively.

Meanwhile, both teams left their Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos this morning for Ikenne ahead of the first of the double-header friendly matches with nine-time African champions Nigeria slated for 3 pm.

The teams will return to Lagos after the match to prepare for the second game scheduled for the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos on Tuesday, October 29 from 4pm.

SUPER FALCONS START-LIST vs ALGERIA

1.Nnadozie, Chiamaka

2.Usani, Miracle

3.Ilivieda, Blessing

4.Olise, Chioma

5.Demehin, Oluwatosin

6.Isa, Sikiratu

7.Omoku, Mercy

8.Ajibade, Rasheedat

9.Monday, Gift

10.Onyenazide, Esther

 11. Ijamilusi, Folashade

RESERVES:

*Goalkeepers*:Monle Oyono and Rachael Unachukwu.

*Defenders*: Chidinma Okeke; Florence Alexander; Comfort Folorunsho; Tessy Ojiyovwi and Chidinma Ogbuchi.

*Midfielders*: Shukurat Oladipo; Josephine Matthias; Amarachi Odoma;

*Forwards:*

Goodness Osigwe; Janet Akekoromowei; Delight Nwosu and Olamide Bolaji.