Ajibade, Oshoala, Nnadozie Lead Super Falcons’ 24-Woman Squad for WAFCON

Super Falcons’ Head Coach Justine Madugu has unveiled a 24-woman squad for Nigeria’s campaign at the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with star names Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Francisca Ordega, and Asisat Oshoala making the cut.

The squad announcement marks the beginning of the team’s march toward a record-extending 10th continental title, with the tournament set to take place from July 5 to 26 in Morocco.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a portion of the squad began training in Abuja on Thursday and will continue sessions on Friday and Saturday before departing for a final training camp in Lisbon, Portugal, on Sunday.

Also included in the list are Saudi Arabia-based defender Ashleigh Plumptre, American fan favourite Michelle Alozie, veteran centre-back Osinachi Ohale, and midfielders Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini, and Christy Ucheibe.

Home-based talents like goalkeeper Rachael Unachukwu and defenders Sikiratu Isah and Miracle Usani have also been called up, while midfield general Halimatu Ayinde returns to bolster the team’s engine room.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed friendly matches to sharpen the team ahead of their Group B fixtures against Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria. The Falcons will face Portugal in Lisbon on Monday and square off against the Black Queens of Ghana in Morocco on June 29.

Full List of Super Falcons for 13th WAFCON Finals:

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)

With high expectations and an experienced squad, the Super Falcons are poised to make a strong push for another continental crown in Morocco.