Coach Randy Waldrum of the Super Falcons has selected captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Osinachi Ohale, forward Asisat Oshoala, and 14 other players for Nigeria’s squad in this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France.
Also included are defenders Oluwatosin Demehin and Michelle Alozie; midfielders Deborah Abiodun, Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe, and Toni Payne; and forwards Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, and Uchenna Kanu.
Players currently on holiday in Nigeria will join home-based players and team officials on an Air France flight from Abuja to Sevilla, Spain, on Thursday night. The remaining squad members and technical team will arrive in Sevilla on Friday for a two-week training camp. The team is set to depart for France on Thursday, July 18.
Nine-time African champions Nigeria are making their first appearance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament since 2008 in China. They will face Brazil, Spain, and Japan in this year’s competition. The Falcons qualified by edging South Africa’s Banyana Banyana 1-0, thanks to a penalty by Ajibade in Abuja.
Their first game is against Brazil at the Stade Bordeaux on July 25, followed by matches against Spain on July 28 and Japan on July 31. The latter two matches will be held at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, the venue where the Super Eagles famously defeated Spain 3-2 in the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals.
Squad List:
- 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), Chinwendu 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).
