The Nigerian Senior Women’s National Team, the Super Falcons, has announced a squad of 25 players to participate at the upcoming 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations that will take place in Morocco from 2-23 July.
Head coach Randy Waldrum has named only player that plies her trade in the West African country, while the rest of the squad is made up of only overseas-based players.
Also included in the final team is defender Ashleigh Plumptree https://centrecircle.online/ex-england-youth-completes-nigeria-international-switch/ who recently switched allegiances and opted to play for Nigeria instead of England. She is on books of Leicester City.
Thirty players had been called up for camp and the list was then trimmed down to 25.
Among those that will travel to Morocco are four-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year and joint leading goal scorer in Spain, Asisat Oshoala who plays for Barcelona Femenino.
The nine-time African champions are eyeing their 10th title and a spot at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand – the top four finishers in Morocco will automatically qualify for the women’s world fooball showpiece.
The WAFCON defending champions have featured in 11 continental tournaments, winning nine of them.
The Super Falcons are in Group C alongside South Africa, and debutants Burundi and Botswana.
In the opening match they will face 2018 finalists Banyana Banyana, while Botswana goes toe to toe against Burundi in the other group match.
“We are aware of the intense competition that is going to play out there in Morocco. We have no illusions. Women’s football has continued to grow in a lot of other African nations, faster than anyone can imagine. So, there will be nothing like under-rating any team. All the teams will be upbeat about their chances and winning tickets to the World Cup,” said captain Onome Ebi on the NFF website.
“On our part, as defending champions, we know our strengths. We know what we have to bring to the pitch to conquer. The wise thing always is to take it one match at a time. We go up first against the Banyana, and then we have to face the challenges of Botswana and Burundi. Then, the knock-out rounds. World Cup ticket is paramount, but we also want to retain our trophy.”
SUPER FALCONS SQUAD FOR 2022 WAFCON
Goalkeepers:
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France);
Tochukwu Oluehi (Maccabi Kishronot Hadera, Israel);
Yewande Balogun (Coppermine United, USA).
Defenders:
Glory Ogbonna (Santa Teresa FC, Spain);
Onome Ebi (En Avant Guingamp, France);
Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain);
Ashleigh Plumptre (Leicester City, England);
Nicole Payne (West Virginia University, USA);
Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA);
Akudo Ogbonna (Edo Queens)
Midfielders:
Peace Efih (Kiryat Gat, Israel);
Halimatu Ayinde (Eskilstuna FC, Sweden);
Charity Adule (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain);
Toni Oyedupe Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain);
Regina Otu (Minsk FC, Belarus);
Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal);
Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain);
Rita Chikwelu (Madrid CFF, Spain).
Forwards:
Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow, Russia);
Vivian Ikechukwu (WFC Gintra, Lithuania);
Chinonyerem Macleans (GSK Gornik Leczna, Poland);
Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA);
Uchenna Kanu (Tigres Femenil, Mexico);
Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona, Spain)
By Matlhomola Morake
