ASHLEIGH Plumptre has been recalled to the Super Falcons squad for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers against Cameroon, with regular faces like captain Rasheedat Ajibade, African Women’s Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala and African Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year Chiamaka Nnadozie also in the squad.
Saudi Arabia-based defender Plumptre is set to make her first appearance for the nine-time African champions since playing a key role in their impressive run to the round of 16 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand last August.
Free-scoring forward Esther Okoronkwo, as well as defenders Osinachi Ohale, Michelle Alozie and Tosin Demehin are also in the 21-woman Super Falcons squad for the qualifying fixture against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon billed for next week.
This tie is the third round of the African qualifying series, and the penultimate round of the campaign before the continent’s representatives to the 2024 Olympics emerge.
Goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, midfielders Deborah Abiodun and Christy Ucheibe, and forwards Toni Payne, Uchenna Kanu and Omorinsola Babajide are also in the squad.
Bitter rivals Nigeria and Cameroon will meet in the first leg of the tie at the Stade de la Reunification in Douala, Cameroon on Friday next week, with Ugandan official Shamirah Nabadda as referee.
Nabadda’s compatriots Lydia Nantabo, Jane Mutonyi and Diana Murungi will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.
For the second leg fixture in Nigeria, taking place at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Monday, February 26, CAF has appointed Namibian official Ndemugwanitha Twanyanyukwa as referee, with her compatriots Eveline Augustinus, Olivia Amukuu and Vistoria Shangula in the roles of assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.
SUPER FALCONS SQUAD TO FACE CAMEROON:
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); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Akudo Ogbonna (Remo Stars Ladies); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France)
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 (Henan FC, China); Ifeoma Onumonu (SLC Utah, USA); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)
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