Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will parade a blend of established stars and returning names when they face the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in two international friendlies in Yaoundé later this month.
Head Coach Justine Madugu has unveiled a 25 player squad anchored by captain Rasheedat Ajibade and first choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. The roster also features key attacking options in Esther Okoronkwo and Chinwendu Ihezuo as the nine time African champions fine tune preparations for the upcoming Women Africa Cup of Nations.
Among the notable returns is experienced midfielder Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, who plays in Canada and is back in the national setup after a period away. Forward Gift Monday, now based in the United States, also rejoins the squad after missing Nigeria’s last continental triumph in Morocco.
Goalkeeper Comfort Erhabor, who plays in England, has earned her maiden call up, while defender Chidinma Okeke returns to the fold. Midfielder Precious Christopher, who features in Tanzania, is another new inclusion as Madugu continues to widen the talent pool ahead of major tournaments.
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Regulars such as Osinachi Ohale, Michelle Alozie, Oluwatosin Demehin and Ashleigh Plumptre remain in defence, alongside midfield mainstays Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe, Deborah Abiodun and Jennifer Echegini. Forwards Rinsola Babajide and Folashade Ijamilusi also retain their places in a squad that blends experience with emerging depth.
The first friendly against Cameroon is scheduled for February 28, with the second encounter set for March 3 in Yaoundé. The fixtures are expected to provide a stern test for the Super Falcons as they prepare for the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco from March 17 to April 3. The four semi finalists at the tournament will secure automatic qualification for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Madugu’s selection reflects a strategic build up aimed at strengthening competition across all departments while maintaining the core of the squad that has dominated women’s football on the continent for decades.
Goalkeepers invited for the Cameroon friendlies include Chiamaka Nnadozie of Brighton Hove and Albion, Comfort Erhabor of Portsmouth Ladies, Fatima Oloko of Abia Angels and Anderline Mgbechi of Rivers Angels. In defence, Osinachi Ohale of Pachuca, Shukurat Oladipo of AS Roma, Michelle Alozie, Ashleigh Plumptre of Ittihad Ladies, Glory Ogbonna of FC Kiryat Gat, Oluwatosin Demehin of Galatasaray, Sikiratu Isah of Bnot Netanya and Chidinma Okeke of Club America are listed.
The midfield options are Halimatu Ayinde, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene of Ottawa Rapids, Deborah Abiodun of Washington Spirit, Jennifer Echegini of Paris Saint Germain, Christy Ucheibe of Benfica and Precious Christopher of Yanga Princess. In attack, captain Rasheedat Ajibade of Atletico Madrid, Chinwendu Ihezuo of Pachuca, Gift Monday of Washington Spirit, Joy Omewa of Nottingham Forest, Esther Okoronkwo of AFC Toronto, Folashade Ijamilusi of Liaoning Shenyang and Omorinsola Babajide of AS Roma complete the list.
With renewed competition for places and key players returning, attention now turns to Yaoundé where the Super Falcons will seek to assert their authority and sharpen their edge ahead of another push for continental and global honours.
