FULL LIST: Oshoala, Oparanozie, Ebi make Falcons squad for women’s World Cup

June 16, 2023 1:17 pm

Randy Waldrum, Super Falcons head coach, has unveiled 23 players for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

According to the list released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Friday, Asisat Oshoala, Desire Oparanozie, and Rasheedat Ajibade are among the stars that will represent Nigeria at the competition billed for next month.

The 40-year-old Onome Ebi is also listed and is set to become the oldest African to appear at the Women’s World Cup. Ebi has been part of the Falcons set-up since making her debut in 2003. The defender played in the 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 & 2019 global events.

The notable absence from the squad is Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene in the midfield, whose influence and creative spark will be replaced by Jennifer Echegini, who scored in his last game for the team.

The Falcons have been in impressive form since turning around a seven-game winless streak earlier this year. The team have won all their last three games, including a 3-0 defeat of World Cup co-host New Zeeland in April.

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand on July 20.

Falcons are in Group B alongside Australia, Canada, and the Republic of Ireland.

FULL 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)