**Recalls Abiodun, Echegini
By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
The reappointed head coach of the Super Falcons Randy Waldrum has submitted to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) a list of 23 players invited for the the second round of the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) double-header against Cape Verde billed for Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja on November 30 and Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde, Praia on December 5, 2023.
Prompt News exclusively gathered Waldrum invited almost all the players who prosecuted the 2024 Paris Olympics women’s football African qualifiers double-header against Ethiopia last October, although the University of Pittsburgh women’s soccer club Panthers’ head coach tactically withdrew from leading Nigeria in the two games in Addis Ababa because of domestic football competition in his native United States of America (USA).
In the list sighted by Prompt News are the usual suspects, Asisat Lamina Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Uchenna Kanu Ifeoma Onumonu, Rasheedat Ajibade, Toni Payne, Oluwatosin Demehin, Michelle Alozie, Rofiat Imuran and Christy Ucheibe.
Others are Tochukwu Oluehi, Oyono Monle Peace Efih, Omorinsola Omowunmi, Monday Gift, Onyenezide Esther, Folorunsho Comfort, Ajakaye Opeyemi and Payne Nicole.
Waldrum also recalled Halimat Ayinde, Osinachi Ohale, Deborah Abiodun who plays for him in Panthers team and Onyinye Echegini, a player of Florida State University (FSU) which eliminated his team in the semi final of 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championship in October. He had intentionally refused to invite the duo of Abiodun and Echegini in the Olympics qualifiers double-header against Ethiopia last month but has now recalled them to the team after using Abiodun to play his collegiate soccer competition in USA.
But Prompt News can confirm that Waldrum’s list is causing some misgivings in the Sunday Dankaro Office of the federation because the American gaffer had the audacity to submit the list of the players to prosecute the two qualifiers matches to NFF Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) one week after his contract with Nigeria ended on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 and without signing a valid contract with his employers.
It was learnt that the coach’s action has angered some members of the NFF Technical Committee who are at quagmire why a coach who failed to see off his first contract and also abandoned Nigeria’s senior women’s football team in the time of need could have the courage to submit the list of players for the next match when the NFF is yet to formally give him a new contract. READ ALSO:
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Meanwhile, Nigeria will host Cape Verde’s senior women’s football team at Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on November 30 while the return leg of WAFCON second round qualifiers will take place in Cape Verde on December 5.
Nigeria qualified for this round after Saò Tomè and Principe withdrew from the competition in the first round while Cape Verde eliminated Liberia 6-2 on aggregate. After beating Liberia 3-0 in Praia in the first leg, Liberia fell 2-3 in Monrovia in the return fixture.
