Super Falcons of Nigeria will battle Ethiopia in the 2024 Women’s Olympics qualifier first leg of the second round encounter slated to take place at the Abebe Bekila Stadium, Addis Ababa, on Wednesday.
The game starts at 3.30 pm Ethiopia time (1.30 pm Nigeria time).
Celebrated Barcelona Femeni forward, Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Chiamaka Nnadozie are among the 19 players who are presently at Addis Ababa ahead of the Super Falcons vs Ethiopia clash.
Notable stars like Oluwatosin Demehin, Uchenna Kanu, Toni Payne, Michelle Alozie, and Gift Monday are also presently at the team’s national camp.
Gotham FC forward Ifeoma Onumonu is expected to join her teammates in camp.
On the ground of injury, the quartet of Halimat Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe, Regina Otu, and Osinachi Ohale have been ruled as the qualifier, and Youngster Esther Onyenezide has been called up to replace Ayinde.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will be playing Ethiopia without coach Randy Waldrum. However, the report has it that he could be available for the return leg in Nigeria.
Head coach Waldrum, whose current contract ends October 31 is currently negotiating his contract extension with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Notwithstanding, assistant coaches Justin Madugu, Ann Agumanu-Chiejine, and Auwal Makwalla will manage the Super Falcons in Waldrum’s absence.
The reverse fixture will be held at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday, October 31.
The team that secures victory on aggregate will advance to battle the winner of the Cameroon/Uganda fixture for a place in the final qualification round.
The Super Falcons have failed to secure qualification for the last three editions of the Olympic games.
Following their inability to qualify for the 2016 and 2020 editions of the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo respectively, the Falcons hope to book a place at the 2024 edition in Paris.
For Wednesday’s Super Falcons vs Ethiopia game, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Lamia Atman from Algeria as a referee, with her compatriots Asma Feriel Ouahab, Sara Kemmad, and Ghada Mehat as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2, and fourth official respectively. Angelique Tuyishime from Rwanda will serve as referee assessor while Tabitha Njoroge from Kenya will be the match commissioner.
The winners on aggregate will face the winners of the fixture between Cameroon and Uganda. The Indomitable Lionesses also drew bye, while Uganda triumphed over Rwanda 4-3 on aggregate.
19 PLAYERS IN SUPER FALCONS’ CAMP:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Monle Oyono (Bayelsa Queens).
Defenders: Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Nicole Payne (Paris Saint Germain, France); Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France).
Midfielders: Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain).
Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Costa Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona Feminine, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Opeyemi Ajakaye (FC Robo Queens).
