SUPER Falcons of Nigeria captain Rasheedat Ajibade is expected to be one of the early arrivals as the camp opens today for the final qualifying round tie for the Paris 2024 Olympics women’s football event against Banyana Banyana of South Africa.
African Women’s Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala is however not likely to play the first leg of the tie as she is expected to arrive barely 24 hours to the match from her United States of America base, according to the Nigeria Football Federation.
The two top African teams are contesting for one of the continent’s two tickets for Paris 2024, with the first leg taking place at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday. The return fixture is scheduled for the Loftus Versfeld arena in Pretoria five days later.
Spain-based Ajibade, who was one of the stars as the Falcons reached the round of 16 at last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, will be joined early in Abuja by home-based goalkeeper Linda Jiwuaku and defender Jumoke Alani (who was drafted in following injury to Saudi Arabia-based Ashleigh Plumptre).
Young defender Shukurat Oladipo, veteran goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, Japan-based Chidinma Okeke and Spain-based forward Gift Monday are expected in camp early tomorrow. The rest of the squad will be in camp by Tuesday, with Bay FC striker Oshoala the only one not expected until Thursday.
South Africa’s delegation, including 24 players, will land in Abuja tomorrow evening.
Nine-time African champions Nigeria missed out on the last three Olympic Games and have lost their last two matches against South Africa, who won their first continental title in 2022.
The Super Falcons have experienced some resurgence under Randy Waldrum however, starting at the 2023 Women’s World Cup where they reached the round of 16 and did not lose in open play despite facing Olympic champions Canada, co-hosts Australia and European champions England.
Waldrum has a quality squad to pick from for the two legs against the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions, including African Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year Chiamaka Nnadozie, and a defence of World Cup stars Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie.
In midfield, Waldrum has Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe and Deborah Abiodun, and a forward line of Esther Okoronkwo, Ajibade and Uchenna Kanu (with Gift Monday, Omorinsola Babajide and returnee Chiwendu Ihezuo also available).
SUPER FALCONS SQUAD FOR BANYANA BANYANA TIE:
Goalkeepers:
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens)
Defenders:
Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens); 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)
