Ebi, Plumptre missing as NFF names Falcons squad for 2024 Olympics qualifiers

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has named 22 players for the second round of qualifiers for the women’s football event of the 2024 Olympics. 

According to the list released by the federation on Sunday, Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie and Rasheedat Ajibade will lead the Super Falcon‘s squad that will play the double-legged clash against Ethiopia.

Michelle Alozie, Christy Ucheibe and Toni Payne are also listed in the squad alongside Ifeaoma Onumonu and Gift Monday.

Four home-based players who made the list are Opeyemi Ajakaye, Monle Oyono, Jumoke Alani and Comfort Folorunsho.

Notable absences from the squad are 40-year-old Onome Ebi, Ashleigh Plumptre and Francesca Ordega.

Ethiopia will host the first leg of the encounter in Addis Ababa on October 25 while the second leg will take place in Nigeria six days later.

The Ethiopians eliminated Chad in the first round of the series as the Falcons drew a bye.

The 2024 Olympics is billed to take place in Paris, France, from July 26 to August 11, 2024.

The Falcons played at the Olympics in 2000, 2004 and 2008.

ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (P[taris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Monle Oyono (Bayelsa Queens)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca FC, Mexico); 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: Halimatu Ayinde (Rosengard FC, Sweden); Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Regina Otu (AS Saint Etienne, France)

Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona Feminine, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday ((Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Opeyemi Ajakaye (FC Robo Queens)