Super Falcons interim head coach Justin Madugu released his 21-player shortlist of invited players on Monday ahead of their second and final qualifying phase for next year’s Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) double-header against Cape Verde.
Barcelona Femeni forward Asisat Oshoala and Atletico Madrid forward Rasheedat Ajibade, who has captained the side in recent matches, headline the star-studded list, with Houston Dynamo defender Michelle Alozie and Saudi-based Ashleigh Plumptre the notable omissions.
Paris FC goalkeeper Chiamaka Nandozie leads the line-up of three invited goalkeepers; the duo of experienced Osinachi Ohale and vibrant Tosin Demehin, who started all Nigeria’s games at the FIFA Women’s World Cup back in July, also received call-ups.
OFFICIAL: Our ???????? roster ???? for Cape Verde doubleheader in the second and final round of the qualifying tournament for the #WAFCON2024, this month! ????????#SoarSuperFalcons| #WAFCON| #Morocco2024 pic.twitter.com/xRFEGjK65T
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) November 20, 2023
In the midfield, Toni Payne makes the numbers, along with Halimatu Ayinde, who pulled out of their last match—a 4-0 win over Ethiopia in the Olympic qualifiers—due to injury, makes a return to the national team. Likewise, Benfica midfielder Christy Ucheibe, who also missed that game, is back in the side along with Deborah Abiodun, who was nominated for the CAF Young Player of the Year award.
Along with Oshoala in attack, Spain-based Gift Monday, Uchenna Kanu and the newly-capped Omorinsola Babajide all make the list for the crucial tie.
All invited players have been advised to report to the team’s camp in Abuja between 25th and 27th November.
The nine-time African champions will take on their Cape Verdean counterparts over two legs, with the first leg taking place on Wednesday, November 30, at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, while the return leg will see the Falcons make the trip to the Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde five days later, on December 5.
FULL LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Christiana Obia (Edo Queens)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca FC, Mexico); Glory Edet (FCF TP Mazembe, DR Congo); Rihanat Kasali (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Akudo Ogbonna (Remo Stars Ladies); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France)
Midfielders: Christy Ucheibe (SC Benfica, Portugal); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University, USA)
Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona Feminine, Spain); Esther Okoronkwo (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)
