Head coach of the Super Falcons of Nigeria Thomas Dennerby on Friday released a list of 24 players for the Cyprus invitational tournament next week. Topping the list is FC Barcelona Women team player and former African footballer of the year, Asisat Oshoala and Desire Oparanozie.
The list which is dominated by players who delivered a third consecutive AWCON title in Ghana last year will depart the shores of the country on Sunday for the tournament which commences on the 27th of February.
Asides the Super Falcons of Nigeria and the Banyana Banyana of South Africa – two of Africa’s flag bearers at the World Cup in France; Thailand and Italy make up the four France bound teams in the 12 nation tourney. Other teams in the Cyprus invitational include: Mexico, Finland, Belgium, Slovakia, Korea DPR, Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria.
Players and officials are scheduled to arrive in Abuja on Friday with training sessions on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday morning, before departure by Egypt Air on Sunday evening.
Former African Woman Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala and fellow striker Desire Oparanozie, who both missed the China invitational in January have been recalled to the squad. While former junior international Uchenna Kanu, now a student in the United States of America has also been included in the squad.
SUPER FALCONS SQUAD LIST FOR CYPRUS CUP
Goalkeepers: Tochukwu Oluehi; Christy Ohiaeriaku; Chiamaka Nnadozie
Defenders: Glory Ogbonna; Faith Michael; Onome Ebi; Osinachi Ohale; Josephine Chukwunonye; Ngozi Ebere
Midfielders: Amarachi Okoronkwo; Ngozi Okobi; Rita Chikwelu; Halimatu Ayinde; Cecilia Nku
Forwards: Anam Imo; Asisat Oshoala; Rasheedat Ajibade; Francisca Ordega; Chinaza Uchendu; Chinwendu Ihezuo; Alice Ogebe; Ini-Abasi Umotong; Alice Ogebe; Uchenna Kanu
The Super Falcons’ first match of the tournament against Austria will be played on Wednesday 27th February, before further games against Slovakia (Friday, 1st March) and Belgium (Monday, 4th March) in the group phase.
Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
