Head Coach Randy Waldrum has listed history-making captain Onome Ebi, European Cup winner Asisat Oshoala, and attacking midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade in his Super Falcons squad for this year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand.
Nigeria will play Canada, co-host nation Australia and the Republic of Ireland in that order at the biggest-ever FIFA Women football World Cup finals in history.
32 teams are set to debut at the FIFA women world cup 2023; same number as for the men’s finals in Qatar last year.
Super Falcons Squad -The Casualties:
Regina Otu and Okobi leads a list of players missing out of the Super Falcons squad. Okobi started five of six games at the Women AFCON while Otu featured prominently in Midfield.
Furthermore, In the absence of Okobi, Jennifer Echegini will be taking her place in the midfield.
Honourable mention to the likes of Chiwendu Ihezuo, Anam Imo and Peace Efih who all miss out.
NWFL Blackout
The NWFL lacks a proper representation in the super falcons squad for the Australia and New Zealand 2023 world cup.
Captain Onome Ebi is the only representative and she is yet to kick a ball for her team Abia Angels.
Super Falcons List: The Verdict
Except for Onome Ebi in defence, the list is balanced with a mixture of the old and the young.
Also, there should be place for in the goalkeeping department for NWFL goalkeeper to make the List as preparation for the future.
Anderline Ngbechi, was spotless during the NWFL league season and for the U20 at the WAFU chmapionship.
The attacking department has enough fire power and dynamism depending on the system Wladrum will seek to use.
The return of Oparanozie offers the traditional power in attack while Onumonu supplies a different kind of forward in a fast game.
SUPER FALCONS FOR BIGGEST-EVER FIFA WORLD CUP FINALS:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Tochukwu Oluehi (Hakkarigucu Spor FC, Turkey); Yewande Balogun (AS Saint-Etienne, France)
Defenders: Onome Ebi (Abia Angels); Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain); Glory Ogbonna (Besiktas JK, Turkey); Ashleigh Plumptre (Leicester City, England); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France)
Midfielders: Halimatu Ayinde (Rosengard FC, Sweden); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels); Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University, USA)
Forwards: Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, Kentucky, USA); Gift Monday (UDG Tenerife, Spain); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona Femenine, Spain); Desire Oparanozie (Wuhan Chegu Jianghan, China); Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Esther Okoronkwo (AS Saint-Etienne, France).
Meanwhile, nine-time African champions Nigeria, will arrive in Australia on Tuesday, 4th July for a 15-day final camping programme before the finals begin on 20th July.