Super Falcons’ head coach, Randy Waldrum, has released his list of 23 players comprising European Cup winner Asisat Oshoala, graceful attacking midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade and phenomenal captain Onome Ebi to battle the biggest-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand beginning July 20.
Other distinguished players on the list include top-seed goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, as well as defenders Osinachi Ohale and Oluwatosin Demehin; midfielders Halimatu Ayinde and Christy Ucheibe, and forwards Esther Okoronkwo and Desire Oparanozie, themff.com reports.
Chiamaka Nnadozie, Ashleigh Plumptre, Rofiat Imuran, Yetunde Balogun, Gift Monday, Christy Ucheibe, and Toni Payne are some of the debutants in the squad.
Nigeria is in Group B and will play Canada, co-host nation Australia, and the Republic of Ireland in that order at the 2023 Women’s World Cup finals, with 32 teams ready to appear at the championship.
Nine-time African champions Nigeria, who were within whistling distance of the semi-finals before losing to Brazil in extra time in the United States of America in 1999, will arrive in Australia on Tuesday, July 4 for a 15-day final camping programme before the finals begin on July 20. The Super Falcons open their campaign against Canada on July 21.
Full Squad List:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Tochukwu Oluehi (Hakkarigucu Spor FC, Turkey); Yewande Balogun (AS Saint-Etienne, France)
Defenders: Onome Ebi (Abia Angels); Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain); Glory Ogbonna (Besiktas JK, Turkey); Ashleigh Plumptre (Leicester City, England); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France)
Midfielders: Halimatu Ayinde (Rosengard FC, Sweden); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels); Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University, USA)
Forwards: Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, Kentucky, USA); Gift Monday (UDG Tenerife, Spain); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona Femenine, Spain); Desire Oparanozie (Wuhan Chegu Jianghan, China); Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Esther Okoronkwo (AS Saint-Etienne, France).
