By Abimbola Ogunnaike
Coach Randy Waldrum has revealed the list of 22 players he invited to represent the Nigerian women’s national team, the Super Falcons, in the upcoming Paris Olympics final qualifying fixture against South Africa.
Among the 22 players called up are: captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, Soccernet.ng reports.
Saudi Arabia-based defender, Ashley Plumptre, veteran Osinachi Ohale, and midfielder Deborah Abiodun, also made the list.
Notable returns include 2019 World Cup standout Chidinma Okeke and forward Chiwendu Ihezuo. U-20 defender, Shukurat Oladipo, receives her maiden call-up.
The Super Falcons are set to take on South Africa in a two-match series, with the initial encounter slated for April 5 at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
The return leg is slated for April 9 at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
The winner of the tie will clinch one of Africa’s two tickets to the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.
Regulars like wing-back Michelle Alozie, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Halimatu Ayinde, and forward Gift Monday in the squad were also retained.
The invited players are listed below:
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)
