WAFCON: Falcons coach Waldrum names 25-woman squad

Super Falcons Head Coach, Randy Waldrum, has released the names of his 25-woman squad for the 2022 African Women Cup of Nations billed for Morocco.

Waldrum, who will be in the technical area for the first time in the tournament, selected Falcons captain, Onome Ebi, with a mix of experienced legs such as Tochukwu Oluehi, Ebi, Rita Chikwelu, Osinachi Ohale, and Francisca Ordega.

Defenders Ashleigh Plumptre, Nicole Payne and Michelle Alozie are among the debutants at the continental showpiece.

The PUNCH reports that the nine-time African champions opened their pre-tournament camp in Abuja on June 17, 2022, ahead of the 12th instalment of the tournament.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Rita Akarekor, defenders Chidinma Okeke, Ngozi Emenayo and Opeyemi Sunday, midfielders Suliat Abideen, Amanda Uju Mbadi and Charity Adule, and forward Anam Imo, who were all at the camp in Abuja.

The Super Falcons are scheduled to depart Nigeria for Morocco on Monday, 27th June.

In their first match of the campaign on Monday, July 4, Nigeria will face rivals, South Africa; and later Botswana on July 7, and Burundi on July 10 all at the Prince Heritier Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

FULL SQUAD LIST:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Tochukwu Oluehi (Maccabi Kishronot Hadera, Israel); Yewande Balogun (Coppermine United, USA)

Defenders:

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); Akudo Ogbonna (Edo Queens)

Midfielders:

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); Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene (Eskilstuna FC, Sweden)

Forwards:

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); Gift Monday (Bayelsa Queens)