By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Three days to the crucial African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) Morocco 2022 first leg qualifier match between Nigeria’s Super Falcons and La Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire slated for Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday, February 18, 2022, no fewer than 11 foreign-based players have arrived the Abuja camp.
The new arrivals to camp are first choice and reserve goalkeepers, Chiamaka Nnadozie of Paris FC, France and
Tochukwu Oluehi of Maccabi Kishronot Hadera, Israel and defenders Onome Ebi of Minsk FC, Belarus and Michelle Alozie of Houston Dash, USA.
Others are midfielders Peace Efih, Kiryat Gat, Israel; Yetunde Aluko (WFC Ramat Hasharon, Israel; Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene who plays for Eskilstuna FC, Sweden and Esther Okoronkwo of AS Saint Etienne, France.
Unattached United States-based goalkeeper Yewande Balogun; defender Regina Otu and midfielder Nicole Payne of West Virginia University, USA were the early birds to camp even as some of the big names are yet to show up in the camp as at the time of this report.
They include team captain, Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona-Spain); Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain); Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow- Russia); Desire Oparanozie (Dijon, France); Rita Chikwelu-(Madrid CFF, Spain); Glory Ogbonna (Santa Teresa FC, Spain) and Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain).
Prompt News exclusively reported last Thursday that only three out of 23 foreign-based players namely; third choice goalkeeper, Yewande Balogun (Unattached-USA) and defenders Nicole Payne (West Virginia University, USA) and Regina Otu (Minsk FC, Belarus) were in camp alongside 12 home-based players.
But the bulk of the invited who were delayed due to club duties will now be released as the 2022 FIFA Women’s Football Window for February started Monday February 14 to end February 23.
Super Falcons Head Coach Randy Waldrum has now seen his team camp bubbling as more players are expected to arrive the Abuja camp on Monday evening while the last batch will join Tuesday morning before the first training of the day.
After the first leg in Abuja this Friday both teams will square up for the return leg five days later at the Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan on Wednesday, February 23. The winner over two legs will qualify for AWCON Morocco 2022.
ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Tochukwu Oluehi (Maccabi Kishronot Hadera, Israel); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Sunshine Queens); Yewande Balogun (USA).
Defenders:
Rofiat Imuran (Rivers Angels); Glory Ogbonna (Santa Teresa FC, Spain); Onome Ebi (Minsk FC, Belarus); Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain); Ayomide Ojo (Edo Queens); Ashleigh Plumptre (Leicester City, England); Joy Duru (Nasarawa Amazons); Nicole Payne (West Virginia University, USA); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Akudo Ogbonna (Edo Queens).
Midfielders:
Peace Efih (Kiryat Gat, Israel); Yetunde Aluko (WFC Ramat Hasharon, Israel); Amanda Mbadinuju (Bayelsa Queens); Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene (Eskilstuna FC, Sweden); Grace Igboamalu (Bayelsa Queens); Toni Oyedupe Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Regina Otu (Minsk FC, Belarus); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Rita Chikwelu (Madrid CFF, Spain); Amarachi Okoronkwo (Nasarawa Amazons); Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels).
Forwards:
Esther Okoronkwo (AS Saint Etienne, France); Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Desire Oparanozie (Dijon FC, France); Vivian Ikechukwu (Rivers Angels); Gift Monday (FC Robo Queens); Juliet Bassey (Bayelsa Queens); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Uchenne Kanu (Tigres Femenil, Mexico); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona, Spain).
