Interim coach Justine Madugu has listed a strong squad of 23 players that include captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, as well as forwards Toni Payne and Rinsola Babajide for two friendly matches against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon.
Other invited players include defenders Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin and Shukurat Oladipo, midfielders Deborah Abiodun and Jennifer Echegini, and forwards Ifeoma Onumonu and Francisca Ordega.
The Falcons will use the matches as part of their preparations for the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco, 5th – 26th July, while the Lionesses will use the games to stay in shape for future challenges, having failed to qualify for this year’s Women AFCON finals.
The Falcons and the Lionesses will face off at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo on Saturday, 31st May, before a second confrontation at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta on Tuesday, 3rd June.
All invited 23 players have been directed to arrive at the Am2pm Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on Monday, 26th May.
Nine-time champions Nigeria (they also won the two non-tournament-format competitions in 1991 and 1995) will be up against Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana in group B of the 13th WAFCON in Morocco.
SUPER FALCONS FOR LIONESSES’ CHALLENGE:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens); Morufa Ademola (Edo Queens)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lionesses, England); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Edo Queens); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens)
Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Josephine Mathias (Nasarawa Amazons); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Amarachi Odoma (Edo Queens)
Forwards: Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia); Olamide Bolaji (Remo Stars Ladies); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Emem Essien (Edo Queens)
Some baffling call-ups, Emem Essien and Bolaji Olamide but no Janet Akekoromowei. Even though Olamide outscored Janet, the latter is simply a better all-around football player (as well as a reliable goalscorer).
Amarachi Odoma? She’s a reserve at Edo Queens and barely got a sniff-in for a few minutes in the 5 games of the Super 6. Meanwhile, the likes of Suliat Abideen (who just recently won the the Turkish league as a starter for ABB Fomget) are left out. In fact, would take her (and even Grace Salisu of ASFAR) over Josephine Mathias.
Linda Jiwuaku? How do the selectors ignore Omini Oyono and instead select her reserve who didn’t even get off the bench? Meanwhile, Pauline Isah (now Portugal-based) should’ve made the cut. Finally, flowers to Franny Ordega for what she’s given to our beloved country but it’s time to move on and onto a new generation of players.