The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Friday, released the 24-player squad, welcoming back into the Super Falcons star forward, Asisat Oshoala and defender Ashleigh Plumptre — both of whom were absent from the recent friendly against Cameroon.
The lineup features key players such as goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, captain Rasheedat Ajibade, defenders Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie, and midfielders Deborah Abiodun and Christy Ucheibe—all set to don the Super Falcons jersey when the Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) kicks off later this month.
Three home-based players — Rachael Unachukwu, a goalkeeper, and defenders Sikiratu Isah and Miracle Usani — are also included.
The squad started training sessions in Abuja on Thursday and will also train on Friday and Saturday before their departure to the final training camp in Lisbon, Portugal, on Sunday.
Nigeria will play two more friendlies against Portugal and Ghana on 23 and 29 June, respectively, ahead of the tournament.
The 13th WAFCON will be held in Morocco from 5 to 26 July.
The Super Falcons will be hoping to win the competition for the 10th time.
The team is in group B alongside Tunisia, Botswana and Algeria.
The squad:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (just finished contract with Paris FC, France); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Edo Queens)
Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (just finished contract with Atletico Madrid, Spain); Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosenburg, Sweden); Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)
Forwards: Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Chioma Okafor (University of Connecticut, USA)
