Nigeria’s Super Falcons have begun preparations for their 2028 Olympic Women’s Football Tournament qualifying tie against Comoros, with 14 players taking part in training on Monday evening.
The two teams will meet on Friday before facing each other again in the second leg at Remo Stars Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The 10-time African champions returned to the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament two years ago after a 16-year absence. They are now aiming to secure another appearance, with the tournament scheduled to take place in Los Angeles in the summer of 2018.
Interim Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has released Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Favour Nkwocha to rejoin Nigeria’s under-17 women’s side, the Flamingos.
Adegbuyi was named Most Valuable Player at the recently concluded WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup competition in Yamoussoukro, while Nkwocha represented the Falconets at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
The Flamingos are due to leave Nigeria on Wednesday for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in Morocco.
Ashley Plumptre has asked to be excused because of a sprain and ligament injury. SL Benfica defenders Oluwatosin Demehin and forward Flourish Sabastine will also miss the matches as they pursue resident permits.
Five-time Africa Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala has likewise requested to be excused, prompting Eguavoen to call up Belarus-based former U20 forward Blessing Nkor.
Eleven more players are expected to join the squad, including defender Michelle Alozie, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Jennifer Echegini, captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Gift Monday.
Players currently in camp
Goalkeeper: Christiana Uzoma
Defenders: Farida Abdulwahab, Tumininu Adeshina, Valentina Uroko, Glory Edet, Shukurat Oladipo, Glory Ogbonna
Midfielders: Oluchi Omenazu, Joy Igbokwe, Fatimoh Solaty, Suliat Abideen
Forwards: Shakirat Moshood, Blessing Nkor, Sandra John
Players expected
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie, Comfort Erhabor
Defender: Michelle Alozie
Midfielders: Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Jennifer Echegini
Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade, Gift Monday, Joy Omewa, Janet Akekoromowei, Uchenna Kanu