Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has invited 23 players, including captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Michelle Alozie, midfielder Toni Payne and forward Rinsola Babajide, for the upcoming two friendly matches against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon.
However, six-time Women’s African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala is not included in the squad, which was announced by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday.
Defenders Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin and Shukurat Oladipo, midfielders Deborah Abiodun and Jennifer Echegini, and forwards Ifeoma Onumonu and Francisca Ordega are also in the squad.
The Super Falcons and the Lionesses will face each other at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo on Saturday, May 32, and at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, three days later.
While the Falcons will use the matches as part of their preparations for the 13th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco from July 5 to July 26, the Lionesses will use the games to stay in shape for future challenges, having failed to qualify for this year’s WAFCON.
All invited 23 players have been directed to arrive at the Am2pm Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on Monday, May 6, according to the NFF.
Nine-time champions Nigeria (they also won the two non-tournament-format competitions in 1991 and 1995) will be up against Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana in Group B of the WAFCON in Morocco.
SUPER FALCONS SQUAD
Goalkeepers:
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens); Morufa Ademola (Edo Queens)
Defenders:
Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lionesses, England); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Edo Queens); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens)
Midfielders:
Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint-Germain, France); Josephine Mathias (Nasarawa Amazons); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Amarachi Odoma (Edo Queens)
Forwards:
Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia); Olamide Bolaji (Remo Stars Ladies); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Emem Essien (Edo Queens)
