By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
More players are arriving the Super Falcons Seville camp as the China-based attacker Esther Okoronkwo hits Spain Sunday to the delight of the worried Nigerian officials who have seen the bulk of the 22 selected players for the Paris 2024 Olympic women’s football tournament delay their arrival to camp.
Prompt News exclusively gathered that the arrival of Okoronkwo who plays for Changchun Yatai football club has increased the number of players in camp to 11 as at the time of filing this report on Sunday evening.
Already in camp are team captain and Spain-based Rasheedat Ajibade, two goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie of Paris FC, France and Tochukwu Oluehi of Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia as well as forward Gift Monday who plays for Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa in Spain.
Others in camp are defender Chidinma Okeke (Mynavi Sendai Ladies, Japan); midfielders Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal) and Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); goalkeeper Morufat Ademola (Rivers Angels, Nigeria) and Jennifer Echegini (Juventus Ladies, Italy) who arrived camp earlier on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Prompt News can confirm that the pair of defenders Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico) and Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA) will arrive the inland port of Seville, the chief city of Andalusia and the fourth largest in Spain on Monday from Mexico and United States of America (USA) respectively after club duties.
However, head coach Randy Waldrum is said to have been growing grey hairs as half of the 22 Super Falcons invitees are yet to arrive Seville camp by Sunday evening just as there is no information when the rest of the players are linking up with the team in Spain.
Those still expected in Seville camp are reigning African Best Player Asisat Lamina Oshoala (Bay FC, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Chiwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico) and Chinonyerem Macleans (Locomotiv Moscow, Russia), all attackers.
Others are defender Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); midfielder Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh) and alternate players Ifeoma Onumonu (Utah Royals, USA) and Jumoke Alani (Nasarawa Amazons). READ ALSO:
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Paris 2024 Olympics-bound Super Falcons:
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).
