FALCONETS head coach Christopher Danjuma has called up 19 players for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying tie against Tanzania.
The first leg of the tie will be held in Dar es Salaam on Sunday, with the return fixture set for Abuja a week later.
Danjuma’s squad includes three goalkeepers, six defenders, five midfielders and five forwards.
Goalkeeper Faith Omilana, who starred in the Flamingos’ run to a first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup bronze medal in India last year, is named in the Falconets squad alongside fellow India 2022 star Taiwo Afolabi, as well as defender Comfort Folorunsho and forward Opeyemi Ajakaye, who also played key roles in India.
Folorunsho and Ajakaye were also part of the Super Falcons’ victory over Ethiopia in a Paris 2024 Olympics women’s football event qualifying tie last month.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-finalists have been training in Abuja for more than two weeks, and will take on Tanzanian at the Azam Sports Complex in Dar es Salaam from 3pm Tanzanian time (1pm Nigerian time) on Sunday.
The second leg is billed for the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on November 19, with the winners on aggregate progressing to the third round of the race to Colombia next year.
The Confederation of African Football has selected Letticia Antonella Viana from Eswatini as referee for the match, with her compatriots Patricia Mkhaliph, Siphiwayikhosi Nxumalo and Nothando Nkhumane as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively. Kenyan Margaret Omondi will serve as match commissioner.
For the return leg in Abuja, Rachel Nzigire from Democratic Republic of Congo will be the referee, with Ngarassoum Victorine as assistant referee 1. Rachel’s compatriots Carine Puazi and Carine Ampur will be assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively, with Christine Ziga from Ghana as match commissioner.
FALCONETS SQUAD FOR TANZANIA TIE
Goalkeepers:
Anderline Mgbechi (Delta Queens); Shukura Bakare (Nasarawa Amazons); Faith Omilana (Naija Ratels)
Defenders:
Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Nasarawa Amazons); Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens); Rihanat Kasali (Bayelsa Queens); Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Semilore Oladeji (Naija Ratels)
Midfielders:
Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons); Taiwo Afolabi (Delta Queens); Shola Shobowale (Nasarawa Amazons); Aminat Folorunsho (Rivers Angels); Chioma Olise (Edo Queens)
Forwards:
Opeyemi Ajakaye (FC Robo Queens); Judith Okah (Remo Queens); Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (Rivers Angels); Chisom Chima (Bayelsa Queens); Janet Akekoromowei (Asisat Academy)
