Nigeria’s female national team, Super Falcons coach, Thomas Dennerby has listed 20 players for this month’s four-nation invitational in China, as he starts his build-up for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
Footballlive.ng reports that Dennerby was exuding confidence, as he led a delegation of 16 players and nine officials out on Monday from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to be joined by four stars in China.
The team is expected to arrive in the city of Meizhou, in the Guangdong province of China on Tuesday, where they will be joined by the quartet of defender Faith Michael, midfielder Rita Chikwelu as well as forwards Ini-Abasi Umotong and Chinaza Uchendu, who will fly in from Europe.
The African champions aim to shine in China, at the start of their plan of activities in preparations for the 8th Women’s Mundial, which will also be preceded by a trip to Cyprus for another competition in April.
In the first of those build-up competitions, the Falocns will face hosts China, Romania and Korea Republic in the four day invitational starting on 17th January.
Dennerby’s full list has three goalkeepers: Tochukwu Oluehi, Christy Ohiaeriaku and Chiamaka Nnadozie; as well as six defenders in Glory Ogbonna, Faith Michael, Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale, Ugochi Emenayo and Josephine Chukwunonye.
Also listed are four midfielders: Amarachi Okoronkwo, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, Rita Chikwelu and Halimat Ayinde; as well as seven forwards in Anam Imo, Rasheedat Ajibade, Francisca Ordega, Chinaza Uchendu, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Ini-Abasi Umotong and Alice Ogebe.
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Melvin Amaju Pinnick pledged that the team will get adequate support and the best kind of preparation, in order to make them title contenders at France 2019.
Pinnick promised: “The NFF will equally give the Super Falcons all the support to perform excellently at the World Cup.”
