The trio of Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Uchenna Kanu are among 22 Super Falcons players invited for the final qualifying round of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Who is Rihanat Kasali? That for me is another name out of the blues but I have no doubt fervent followers of the Nigeria Women’s Football League will be conversant with her.
I think it is welcome development to see her and Glory Edet as fresh faces in Super Falcons defence. I also welcome Christiana Obia to her place as third choice goalkeeper. Monle Oyono (former Falconets goalkeeper) is slowly fading further into the shadows.
The exciting former Falconets duo of Flourish Sabastine and Esther Onyenezide continue to find it hard to establish their places in the Super Falcons having been overlooked this time around.
Diminutive midfielder Deborah Abiodun makes her long awaited return after capturing the imagination of the fans at the World Cup with fellow World Cup stars Echegini and Okoronkwo also staging comebacks.
Saudi Arabia based Ashleigh Plumptre continues to excuse herself as part of her personal fitness/injury management protocol, similar to how Victor Moses used to cherry pick the invitations he would honour in the Super Eagles. Other heavyweights like Michelle Alozie and Ifeoma Onumonu also drop out of the present squad due to unknown reasons.
Let’s be honest, the Super Falcons are loaded and highly talented. It will be a huge disappointment for this group of supremely talented to miss the Olympics.
Cameroon lie in wait in February but for now this Wafcon qualifier games against Cape Verde should be a stroll in the park for the Super Falcons.
Full List
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Christiana Obia (Edo Queens)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca FC, Mexico); Glory Edet (FCF TP Mazembe, DR Congo); Rihanat Kasali (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Akudo Ogbonna (Remo Stars Ladies); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France)
Midfielders: Christy Ucheibe (SC Benfica, Portugal); Halimat Ayinde ; Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University, USA)
Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona Feminine, Spain); Esther Okoronkwo (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)