Paris Olympics: Falcons depart for Spain camp today

According to the Nigeria Football Federation, the Super Falcons will leave the country for a two-week camp in Seville, Spain ahead of their participation at the women’s football event of the Paris 2024 Olympics, The PUNCH reports.

The Games will be held from July 26 to August 11 and Nigeria are returning to the women’s football event since last featuring in 2008.

The Falcons list for the tournament was announced on Wednesday by the NFF.

“Squad members who are currently on holidays in Nigeria will join home-based players and team officials aboard an Air France flight from Abuja to Seville, Spain on Thursday (today) night, with the rest of the playing body and technical team also arriving in Seville on Friday for a two-week training camp,” NFF’s spokesperson, Ademola Olajire, wrote in an official statement.

“The team is scheduled to depart Seville for France on Thursday, July 18.”

Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum on Wednesday named 18 players and four others as alternates for the women’s football event with notable omissions and two surprise inclusions, The PUNCH reports.

Some of the notable omitted players are Saudi-based defender Ashleigh Plumptre, who hasn’t recovered on time from a surgery, as well as defender Glory Ogbonna, who was part of the 2023 World Cup squad in Australia and New Zealand.

Waldrum’s list also sparked surprises, with the inclusion of former FC Robo defender, Chidinma Okeke, and Russia-based Chinonyerem Macleans, while Ifeoma Onumonu only managed a place among the alternate players.

However, the American coach also dropped veterans Onome Ebi and Francisca Orgeda, who were reportedly trying to force their way into the team.

Atletico Madrid forward Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and Assist Oshoala lead the 18-player roster.

Also on the list are defenders Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin, Michelle Alozie, Nicole Payne and 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 Macleans are part of the forward line.

Nine-time African champions Nigeria will tackle Brazil, Spain and Japan, in that order, at this year’s tournament.

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