The Nigeria Football Federation have announced a 22-player roster ahead of the Super Falcons’ 2024 Women Olympic Football Tournament qualification fixture against the Senior Women National Team of Ethiopia.
Liverpool alum Rinsola Babajide has received her first-ever call-up to the Super Falcons after Fifa approved a request to change her association from England to Nigeria.
Babajide was a member of the Young Lionesses squad that won the bronze medal at the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The 25-year-old, who was voted Liverpool Women’s 2019-2020 Player of the Season. is now plying her trade for Liga F side UD Granadilla Tenerife.
Houston Dash fullback Michelle Alozie, Paris Saint-Germain defender Nicole Payne and her sister Tonni Payne, Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala and Paris FC goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie have also been invited to the Super Falcons camp.
Ethiopia will host the first leg of the second-round fixture in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, 25th October with the second leg in Nigeria on Tuesday, 31st October. Ethiopia eliminated Chad in the first round of the series as nine-time African champions Nigeria drew a bye.
The Super Falcons, who finished 8th at the 32-team FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand in the summer, also drew a bye to the third round of the 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations qualification series, after Sao Tome and Principe’s senior girls scratched the tie.
The Falcons will be up against their counterparts from Cape Verde in the third round of that series at the end of November.
Paris, France will host next year’s Women Olympic Football Tournament. The Super Falcons played at the Olympics in 2000, 2004 and 2008.
Super Falcons squad list
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)
