Super Falcons Announce 23-Player Squad for Upcoming Friendlies in Turkey, including Return of Oparanozie

Super Falcons Coach Randy Waldrum has announced the team’s 23-player squad for their two upcoming international friendlies in Turkey next month.

The Super Falcons will play against Haiti women’s national team on April 7th, followed by a match against World Cup co-hosts New Zealand on April 11th.

Among the players called up are team captain Onome Ebi, Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala, and Atletico Madrid forward Rasheedat Ajibade. Notably, Waldrum has included Desire Oparanozie, who returns to the team after being frozen out for four years following her leadership in protests over unpaid bonuses at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France.

Other players invited for the friendlies include veterans Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, Osinachi Ohale, Halimatu Ayinde, and youngsters Oluwatosin Demehin and Rofiat Imuran.

The Super Falcons will converge in Antalya on April 2nd for a week-long camp before their first match against Haiti. Nigeria’s women’s national football team has been drawn in Group A of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup alongside co-hosts Australia, Canada, and Northern Ireland.

The team will hope to improve on their recent performances, having lost their continental crown to South Africa last year and finished fourth at the Revelations Cup in Mexico last month.

The return of Oparanozie, who was the Golden Boot winner at the 2014 African Women’s Championship and a key member of the Super Falcons squad that won the tournament in 2010, 2016, and 2018, will undoubtedly strengthen the team’s attack.

Full List of Invited Players

Goalkeepers:

Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France)
Yewande Balogun (AS Saint-Etienne, France)
Inyene Etim (Abia Angels)

Defenders:

Onome Ebi (Abia Angels)
Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain)
Ashleigh Plumptre (Leicester City, England)
Glory Ogbonna (Besiktas JK, Turkey)
Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France)
Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, U.S)
Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France)

Midfielders:

Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosengard, Sweden)
Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)
Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene (FC Levante Las Planas, Spain)
Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels)
Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain)
Regina Otu (AS Saint-Etienne, France)

Forwards:

Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona Femenin, Spain)
Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain)
Esther Okoronkwo (AS Saint-Etienne, France)
Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, U.S)
Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, Kentucky, U.S)
Desire Oparanozie (Wuhan Chegu Jianghan, China)
Gift Monday (UDG Tenerife, Spain)