Coach Justin Madugu has announced his 24-woman Super Falcons squad for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, NigeriaSoccernet.com reports.
The squad is led by captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Ashleigh Plumptre, with Asisat Oshoala returning to the team after the Olympics in Paris.
The list includes:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (just finished contract with 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)
A healthy percentage of the squad started training sessions in the Federal Capital, Abuja, on Thursday, and will also train on Friday and Saturday, before their departure to the final training camp in Lisbon, Portugal, on Sunday morning.
The Falcons go up against their Portuguese counterparts in Lisbon on Monday, 23rd June, and will then take on the Black Queens of Ghana in Morocco on Sunday, 29th June.
Nigeria is aiming for a 10th continental title at the 13th Women's Africa Cup of Nations finals to be staged from July 5 to 26 in Morocco.
The Falcons are in group B and will play Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
Uche Dozie