Super Falcons gaffer Randy Waldrum stuck to his guns by ignoring calls to include CSKA Moscow forward, Francisca Ordega in his squad, picking captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Osinachi Ohale, forward Asisat Oshoala and 14 other players in his final list of Nigeria’s Super Falcons for this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France.
Unconfirmed report revealed that Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) chieftains want Ordega included in the lists, but the American coach opted for most the players that qualified the team for the Games, to finally put the debate to rest
NFF Media Department revealed that hard-as-nut defenders, Oluwatosin Demehin, Michelle Alozie and Toni Payne made the lists, while midfielders Deborah Abiodun, Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe, , and forwards Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo and Uchenna Kanu also made the squad in In a release bfrom
Baring any last minute hitch, squad members who are currently on holidays in Nigeria will join home-based players and team officials to depart for Sevilla on Thursday, 18th July aboard aboard Air France flight, while other invited players and technical team are expected in Sevilla on Friday for a two-week training camp.
READ ALSO: Super Falcons begin preparation as Ajibade, others arrive in Abuja
Nine-time African champions Nigeria, stage a comeback to Women’s Olympic Football Tournament after 2008 edition in China. Super Falcon will tackle Brazil, Spain and Japan, in that order, at this year’s tournament.
Nigeria’s first game, against Brazil, comes up at the Stade Bordeaux on 25th July, before confrontations with Spain (28th July) and Japan (31st July). The matches against Spain and Japan will hold at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, where the Super Eagles famously defeated tournament favourites Spain 3-2 in a memorable game at the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals.
The Falcons edged South Africa’s Banyana Banyana 1-0 to qualify for the 12-team tournament, with a strike from the penalty spot in Abuja by Ajibade separating Africa’s top two teams over two legs in the month of April.
FULL-LISTS:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); 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); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain)
Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Esther Okoronkwo (Changchun FC, China); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Chiwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Chinonyerem Macleans (Locomotiv Moscow, Russia)
Alternate Players: Jumoke Alani (Nasarawa Amazons); Ifeoma Onumonu (Utah Royals, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Morufa Ademola (Rivers Angels)
