WAFCON 2022: Nigeria Name Final Squad As Only One Home Based Player Makes Team
As Nigeria’s Super Falcons attempt to conquer Africa for a record 12th time in Morocco, Coach Randy Waldrum has announced his final 25-woman Nigeria squad for the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with prominent inclusions like Asisat Oshoala, Osinachi Ohale and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
The country’s Houston Dash star, Michelle Alozie, captain Onome Ebi and the duo of Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene as well as Nicole Payne made the cut.
The Super Falcons handler opted just for one local-based professional – Gift Monday – who represents Bayelsa Queens.
The West Africans are making their 14th appearance at the biennial African showpiece since making their debut in 1991 – where they ruled Africa.
Nigeria have been crowned as African champions for a record eleven times. Their last appearance was at the 2018 edition in Ghana – where they lifted the trophy.
For Morocco 2022, they have been paired in Group C alongside South Africa, Burundi, and Botswana.
Waldrum’s women will commence their campaign against Banyana Banyana on July 4 at the Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat.
Three days later, they will try the Mares for size before squaring up against the Swallows on July 10.
WAFCON 2022 will also serve as the African qualification for the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup – with the top four teams qualifying for the global tournament slated for Australia and New Zealand, while two more teams will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.
Nigeria’s Full WAFCON 2022 Squad
In the full WAFCON 2022 squad of Nigeria are Goalkeepers, including Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Tochukwu Oluehi (Maccabi Kishronot Hadera, Israel); and Yewande Balogun (Coppermine United, USA).
The Defenders are Glory Ogbonna (Santa Teresa FC, Spain); Onome Ebi (En Avant Guingamp, France); Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain); Ashleigh Plumptre (Leicester City, England); Nicole Payne (West Virginia University, USA); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); and Akudo Ogbonna (Edo Queens).
The Midfielders are Peace Efih (Kiryat Gat, Israel); Halimatu Ayinde (Eskilstuna FC, Sweden); 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); and Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene (Eskilstuna FC, Sweden).
The Forwards are Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Vivian Ikechukwu (WFC Gintra, Lithuania); Chinonyerem Macleans (GSK Gornik Leczna, Poland); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Tigres Femenil, Mexico); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona, Spain); and the only home based player, Gift Monday (Bayelsa Queens).
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