October 09, (THEWILL) – The Super Falcons of Nigeria will be without defenders, Ashley Plumptre and Onome Ebi, for upcoming Olympic qualifiers against Ethiopia, after the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) announced its roster on Monday, with goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie and forward, Asisat Oshoala named as expected.
Ethiopia will host the first leg on October 25, in Addis Ababa. The return leg will take place in Nigeria on October 31. The winner of the double-header qualifying series will advance to the final round ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics women’s football tournament.
Nigeria received a bye in the first round while Ethiopia eliminated Chad. The Super Falcons also received a bye in the third round of qualifying for the 2024 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) and will face Cape Verde in late November.
The experienced centre-back duo of Plumptre and Ebi were surprise omissions from the Olympics qualifying squad. Plumptre, who played club football for her hometown Leicester City last season before moving to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad, was a constant feature at the World Cup, while Ebi is the longest serving member of the Super Falcons squad at 40.
The Super Falcons have featured in three previous Olympic competitions, qualifying in 2000, 2004 and 2008. The women’s tournament at Paris 2024 will take place from July 25 to August 10 next year.
The full squad list includes:
GOALKEEPERS
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC)
Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia)
Monle Oyono (Bayelsa Queens)
DEFENDERS
Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca FC, Mexico)
Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens)
Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France)
Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA)
Nicole Payne (Paris Saint Germain, France)
Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens)
Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France)
MIDFIELDERS
Halimatu Ayinde (Rosengard FC, Sweden)
Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal)
Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)
Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain)
Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain)
Regina Otu (AS Saint Etienne, France)
FORWARDS
Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)
Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA)
Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona Feminine, Spain)
Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA)
Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)
Opeyemi Ajakaye (FC Robo Queens)
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
