Olympics qualifiers: Oshoala, Ajibade invited for Falcons game against South Africa

March 25, 2024 4:29 pm

Randy Waldrum, Super Falcons head coach, has named a squad of 22 players for the forthcoming final round of Olympics qualifiers against South Africa.

According to the list released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday, Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade and Chiamaka Nnadozie will be leading the team against reigning champions of women’s football on the continent.

Ashley Plumptre, Osinachi Ohale, Deborah Abiodun, Esther Okoronkwo, and Uchenna Kanu were also invited for the double-header in April.

Falcons reached the final round of qualifiers after defeating Cameroon 1-0 on aggregate last month.

Nigeria will host South Africa for the first leg of the encounter at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on April 5.

The team will fly to Pretoria for the return leg at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on April 9.

The winner over two legs will earn one of Africa’s two tickets to the women’s football event at the Paris Olympics, with Zambia and Morocco to clash for the other ticket on the same dates.

The last time the Falcons played at the Olympic Games was in Beijing in 2008.

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

ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Nicole Payne (Portland Thorns FC, USA); Chidinma Okeke (Mynavi Sendai Ladies, Japan)

Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosengard, Sweden); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Jennifer Echegini (Juventus Ladies, Italy); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain)

Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Esther Okoronkwo (Changchun FC, China); Ifeoma Onumonu (SLC Utah, USA); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Chiwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico)