Macleans, Okeke surprise inclusions as Waldrum names Falcons Olympics squad

Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum has named captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and forward Assist Oshoala as well as 15 other players in his final 18-player roster for the women’s football event of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Games will be held from July 26 to August 11.

The official squad announcement lays to rest the controversies that have preceded Waldrum’s selection after veteran forward Francisca Ordega and 41-year-old defender Onome Ebi were said to be forcing their way into the squad.

The PUNCH earlier reported that both players had been dropped ahead of the official announcement.

Saudi-based defender Ashleigh Plumptre is missing from the roster due to her recovery from surgery.

Also on the list are defenders; Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin, Michelle Alozie, Nicole Payne and Chidinma Okeke.

The midfielders invited by Waldrum are Deborah Abiodun, Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe, Jennifer Ecehegini and Toni Payne.

Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Uchenna Kanu and Chinonyerem Macleans are part of the forward line.

Spain-based forward Gift Monday, Ifeaoma Onumonu as well as home-based duo Jumoke Alani of Nasarawa Amazons and Morufat Ademola of Rivers Angels make up the alternate players available for selection, in case of any injuries to any of the 18 players.

According to the Nigeria Football Federation, squad members who are currently on holiday in Nigeria will join home-based players and team officials aboard an Air France flight from Abuja to Sevilla, Spain on Thursday night, with the rest of the playing body and technical team also arriving in Sevilla on Friday for a two-week training camp.

The team is scheduled to depart Sevilla for France on Thursday, July 18.

Nine-time African champions Nigeria, who are making their first appearance at the women’s Olympic football tournament for the first time since 2008 in China, will tackle Brazil, Spain and Japan, in that order, at this year’s tournament.

To qualify for the 12-team tournament, the Falcons edged South Africa’s Banyana Banyana 1-0, with a strike from the penalty spot in Abuja by Ajibade separating Africa’s top two teams over two legs in April.

Their first game, against Brazil, comes up at the Stade Bordeaux on July 25, before confrontations with Spain (July 28) and Japan (July 31).

The matches against Spain and Japan will be held at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, where the Super Eagles famously defeated tournament favourites Spain 3-2 in a memorable game at the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals.

SUPER FALCONS FOR PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Nicole Payne (Portland Thorns FC, USA); Chidinma Okeke (Mynavi Sendai Ladies, Japan)

Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosengard, Sweden); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Jennifer Echegini (Juventus Ladies, Italy); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain)

Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Esther Okoronkwo (Changchun FC, China); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Chiwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Chinonyerem Macleans (Locomotiv Moscow, Russia)

Alternate Players: Jumoke Alani (Nasarawa Amazons); Ifeoma Onumonu (Utah Royals, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Morufa Ademola (Rivers Angels)