Golden oldie Nkwocha makes World Cup team

Veteran striker, Perpetua Nkwocha, is among the 23 players selected by coach Edwin Okon in the Super Falcons team to the 7th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals starting in Canada on June 5th.

BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, team captain Evelyn Nwabuoku and experienced goalkeeper Precious Dede are the usual suspects in the team.

Top Scorer at the 2014 African Women Championship Desire Oparanozie, defenders Onome Ebi, Josephine Chukwunonye and Ngozi Ebere, midfielder Halimatu Ayinde, and England-based Ini-Abasi Umotong are also included, as well as US –based forward Francisca Ordega.

There was no place for goalkeeper Sandra Chiichi and 2012 FIFA U-17 World Cup top scorer Chinwendu Ihezuo.

Nigeria will play Sweden, Australia and USA in Group D at the World Cup. Their first match is against Sweden in Winnipeg on Monday, June8th.

THE FULL LIST

Goalkeepers

Precious Dede (Ibom Queens); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Rivers Angels); Ibubeleye Whyte (Rivers Angels)

Defenders

Blessing Edoho (Pelican Stars); Osinachi Ohale (Rivers Angels); Onome Ebi (FC Minsk, Belarus); Josephine Chukwunonye (Rivers Angels); Ugo Njoku (Rivers Angels); Ngozi Ebere (Rivers Angels); Sarah Nnodim (Nasarawa Amazons)

Midfielders

Evelyn Nwabuoku (BIIK Kazygurt, Kazakhstan); Halimatu Ayinde (Delta Queens); Martina Ohadugha (Rivers Angels); Cecilia Nku (Rivers Angels)

Forwards

Perpetua Nkwocha (Clemensnas IF, Sweden); Esther Sunday (FC Minsk, Belarus); Asisat Oshoala (Liverpool Ladies, England); Desire Oparanozie (En Avant Guingamp, France); Ngozi Okobi (Delta Queens); Francisca Ordega (Washington Spirit, USA); Loveth Ayila (Rivers Angels); Courtney Dike (Oklahoma State University, USA); Ini-Abasi Umotong (Portsmouth Ladies, England)