By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
For the Super Falcons, it is a case of the drummers are ready and spectators ready but dancers are still absent as the bulk of invited players for the crucial qualifier match against La Elephantes of Cote d’Ivoire at Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja are yet to hit camp less than a week to the tie.
Although the Head Coach Randy Waldrum and the full compliment of his technical assistants are in Abuja since the camp opened on February 1, serious training has not commenced because the majority of invited players who are based abroad are yet to be released by their clubs to hit the Abuja camp.
Prompt News reports that as at Thursday 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.
The home-based players training under watchful eyes of Coach Waldrum are Christy Ohiaeriaku Sunshine Queens; Joy Duru, Nasarawa Amazons; Rofiat Imuran, Rivers Angels; Ayomide Ojo, Edo Queens and Akudo Ogbonna, Edo Queens.
Others are Amanda Mbadinuju, Bayelsa Queens; Grace Igboamalu,Bayelsa Queens; Amarachi Okoronkwo, Nasarawa Amazons; Deborah Abiodun, Rivers Angels; Juliet Bassey, Bayelsa Queens; Vivian Ikechukwu; Rivers Angels and Gift Monday, FC Robo Queens).
The “Big Girls” like team Captain Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona-Spain); Onome Ebi (Minsk FC- Belarus); Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain); Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow- Russia); Desire Oparanozie (Dijon FC, France) and first choice goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie of Paris FC, France are among the 20 overseas players not yet in camp apparently because of club commitments.
Our investigations revealed that the situation will remain the same till February 14, 2022 when the FIFA women’s football window will start. It will end on February 23 after the Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON) Morocco 2022 qualifiers final matches.
For the above reason, clubs are at liberty to hold on to their players till February 13, a situation which will leave Coach Waldrum and his technical crew with only three days of intense training with all the players before the February 18 first leg match against the Ivoirens at Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
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).
