Super Falcons land in Morocco for women’s AFCON

By Mark Ogagan

Nigeria’s senior women’s national team arrived Casablanca on Wednesday ahead of next month’s 13th CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Morocco from July 5 .

The Super Falcons made the trip to Casablanca after playing a couple of friendly games against Portugal women in Lisbon.

Nigeria is drawn in Group B alongside Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria, with all group games to be played at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.

Falcons open their group campaign against Tunisia at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium  before playing Botswana and Algeria.

Last week, Falcons head coach Justine Madugu named a 24-player squad, with key stars including captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, Francisca Ordega, and six-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala leading the charge.

Madugu’s squad blends experience with emerging talent as the Super Falcons aim to reclaim their continental crown.

THE SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (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).