By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
Halimat Ayinde can’t hide her disappointment after she was forced to pull out of Nigeria’s squad for the 2024 Olympic Qualifier against Ethiopia.
Ayinde will miss the two-legged contest due to injury.
The Rosengard of Sweden player has been replaced by youngster Esther Onyenezide.
The defensive midfielder took to the social media to express her disappointment.
“I won’t be joining the Nigeria women’s national team for our upcoming match against Ethiopia due to circumstances beyond my control. Wishing my Super Falcons teammates all the strength and success on the pitch in Addis Ababa! 
,”she wrote on her X handle.
Aside Ayinde, the trio of Osinachi Ohale, Christy Ucheibe and Regina Otu have all been ruled out of the game due to injury.
Wednesday’s encounter at the Abebe Bekila Stadium will kick off at 3.30pm Ethiopia time (1.30pm Nigeria time). READ ALSO:
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The return leg has been scheduled for the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday, 31st October 2023, with the winner on aggregate to square up to the winner of the Cameroon/Uganda fixture for a place in the final round of the qualification series.
Next year’s Olympic Games will hold 26th July – 11th August in Paris and a few other places in France.
