Nigeria's head coach Randy Waldrum has invited 22 players for the all-important final Paris Olympics qualifying fixtures against South Africa in April.
Leading the Super Falcons cast for the two-legged matchup is captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Paris-based goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and current African Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala.
The defense line will be led by the experienced Osinachi Ohale, alongside Saudi Arabia-based Ashleigh Plumptre, USA-based Deborah Abiodun is also in the squad with more spaces for in-form forwards Esther Okoronkwo of UD Tenerife in Spain and NWSL star Uchenna Kanu.
Former Real Madrid and 2019 World Cup star Chidinma Okeke gets a recall to help bolster the defense. Mexican-based forward Chinwendu Ihezuo also got a recall and brings some experience with Falconets (under-20) defender Shukurat Oladipo getting her first call up.
Coach Waldrum who has also kept faith with some regulars in the team, defender Michelle Alozie, Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne and Halimatu Ayinde in the midfield, and forward Gift Monday will be looking forward to seeing an improved performance against the current African champions to secure a spot at the Olympics for the first time since Beijing 2008.
Super Falcons vs Banyana Banyana gets date
Nigeria's Super Falcons soared to victory in a nail-biting showdown against Cameroon in the last round to confirm her place in this final round of the African qualifying series for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament with Esther Okoronkwo's 15th-minute strike at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, ultimately proving to be the decider in a grueling 180-minute duel over two legs.
The Super Falcons who recently dropped two places from 32nd to 34th in the global rankings according to the football world governing body but still maintained its place as the number one team on the continent will host the first leg scheduled for Friday, 5th April at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja before flying to Pretoria for the return at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday, 9th April.
The winner over two legs will earn one of Africa’s two tickets to this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, with Zambia and Morocco to clash for the other ticket on the same dates.
INVITED PLAYERS:
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); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Nicole Payne (Portland Thorns FC, USA); Chidinma Okeke (Mynavi Sendai Ladies, Japan)
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 (Changchun FC, China); Ifeoma Onumonu (SLC Utah, USA); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Chiwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico)
Paris 2024: Super Falcons in tough group?
Should the Super Falcons secure one of the tickets to represent Africa at the Olympics later this summer, the Waldrum-led side will have to put up a braver performance than their heroics at the last FIFA Women's World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand last summer.
According to the draw results which was recently held in Paris, the two final African teams were classed as CAF 1 and CAF 2. Nigeria or South Africa were African qualifier 1 and African qualifier 2 will be Zambia or Morocco.
One of Nigeria or South Africa will in turn play in Group C, alongside World champions Spain who will be making their debut at the Olympics and only recently added the UEFA Nations League title to their achievements, two-time Olympics silver medallists Brazil and London 2012 silver medallists Japan.
The African qualifier 2 (Zambia or Morocco) will play in Group B alongside USA, Germany and Australia.
