Super Falcons coach, Justin Madugu has called up 23 players, including captains Chiamaka Nnadozie and Rasheedat Ajibade, for Nigeria’s back-to-back friendlies against Cameroon at the end of May.
With Asisat Oshoala missing, there’s a noticeable shift toward youth.
The average age of the squad hovers below 26, with the return of Francisca Ordega who last featured in the Olympic qualifiers adding experience to the forward line.
The CSKA Moscow attacker is joined by in-form Omorinsola Babajide, whose recent club form has been hard to ignore.
However, one notable absentee is Edna Imade. The Granada striker, who scored 16 goals in 29 league matches this season, had publicly expressed her desire to commit to Nigeria over Morocco and Spain. Yet her name is absent, raising questions about the selection criteria.
There’s room, however, for best players from the just concluded NWFL season.
🚨📝Here is the Best XI of the 2024/25 NWFL Premiership season!
Goalkeeper
Ajjei🇬🇭 (REM)Defenders
Alani (NAS)
Abiola (BAS)
Ibrahim (REM)Midfielders
Mathias (NAS)
Aderemi (BAY)
Igbokwe (NAS)
Mafisere (EDO)Forwards
Akekeromowei (NAS)
Olamide (REM)
Moses (RIV)#NWFL25 pic.twitter.com/TmTP47HNXq— NWFL (@TheNWFL) May 18, 2025
Blessing Ilivieda and Cordelia Odoma are among the local players given the nod after impressing in the league.
Super Falcons vs Cameroon clash key to WAFCON build-up
The Super Falcons will face the Indomitable Lionesses in Ikenne (May 30) and Abeokuta (June 3), fixtures that serve as crucial preparation ahead of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Drawn in Group B alongside Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana, Nigeria will fancy their chances of progressing. But memories of the painful 2022 semi-final exit to Morocco via penalties still linger.
Nigeria’s last match was a 2-1 loss to France in November 2024. With less than two months until WAFCON kicks off on July 5, these friendlies could be Madugu’s final opportunity to fine-tune his team.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Nnadozie, Jiwuaku, Ademola
Defenders: Ohale, Oladipo, Demehin, Alozie, Imuran, Isah, Usani, Ilivieda
Midfielders: Abiodun, Echegini, Ucheibe, Ajibade, Mathias, Odoma
Forwards: Payne, Ordega, Onumonu, Babajide, Bolaji, Essien
