Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have taken a dramatic change of tact for the female national team, as initial plans of seeing the squad open camp in Abuja has now been ditched for a site at Epe, Lagos State.
Information reaching footballlive.ng revealed that the Falcons will now open camp at Jubilee Chalets, Chalet Road, off Obafemi Awolowo Road, Epe this Thursday, ahead of next month’s 11th African Women Cup of Nations, which is scheduled to hold in Ghana.
This comes after the team’s technical adviser, Thomas Dennerby rolled out a list of 29 home-based players and 19 from overseas for the first phase of camping for the Nigerian squad.
Holders and winners of eight out of 10 editions of the championship so far, the Falcons qualified to defend their title in Ghana after spanking Gambia home and away in their only qualification fixture.
On the list of players are reigning African Woman Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, as well as ace forward Desire Oparanozie, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and defender Glory Ogbonna.
There are also two goalkeepers Alaba Jonathan and Tochukwu Oluehi, defenders Joy Jegede and Onome Ebi, midfielders Halimat Ayinde and Osarenoma Igbinovia and forwards Francisca Ordega and Anam Imo.
All goalkeepers invited to the Falcons’ camp, starting this Thursday, are Tochukwu Oluehi (Rivers Angels); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Confluence Queens); Alaba Jonathan (Bayelsa Queens); Chiamaka Nnadozie (Rivers Angels); and Onyinyechukwu Okeke (Edo Queens)
The list has 13 defenders, among whom are Glory Ogbonna (Ibom Angels); Joy Jegede (Bayelsa Queens); Ugochi Emenayo (Nasarawa Amazons); Maureen Okpala (Confluence Queens); Mariam Ibrahim (Nasarawa Amazons); and Sarah Nnodim (Nasarawa Amazons).
Other defenders listed are Ngozi Ebere (Barcelona, Cyprus); Joy Duru (Nasarawa Amazons); Faith Michael (Pitea, Sweden); Onome Ebi (Henan Huisanhang, China); Juliet Lorliam (Nasarawa Amazons); Osinachi Ohale (Vaxjo DFF, Sweden); and Josephine Chukwunonye (Asarum, Sweden)
There are also 15 midfielders, led by Osarenoma Igbinovia (Bayelsa Queens); Christy Ucheibe (Nasarawa Amazons); Amarachi Okoronkwo (Nasarawa Amazons); Ogechi Ukwuoma (Pelican Stars); Peace Efih (Edo Queens); and Bashirat Amoo (Confluence Queens).
Others are Goodness Onyebuchi (Sunshine Queens); Nneka Julius (Edo Queens); Patience Agbokade (Sunshine Queens); Mary Anjor (Osun Babes); Ngozi Okobi (Eskiltuna, Sweden); Rita Chikwelu (Krstianstand DFF, Sweden); Christy Adule (Biik Kazygurt, Kazakhstan); Halimat Ayinde (Asarum AIF, Sweden); Ogonna Chukwudi (Krstianstand DFF, Sweden)
Also invted are 14 forwards, which includes Chidinma Okeke (FC Robo Queens); Anam Imo (Nasarawa Amazons); Alice Ogebe (Rivers Angels); Joy Jerry (Bayelsa Queens); Chioma Wogu (Rivers Angels); Rasheedat Ajibade (FC Robo Queens); Asisat Oshoala (Dalian Quanjian, China); and Francisca Ordega (Washington Spirit, USA).
Completing the list, also among the fowards, are Desire Oparanozie (En Avant Guingamp, France); Chinaza Uchendu (SC Braga, Portugal); Ebere Orji (Mallbackens Lysvik, Sweden); Esther Sunday (Konak Belediyespor); Uchechi Sunday; Courtney Dike (Oklahoma City, USA); and Chinwendu Ihezuo (Biik Kazygurt, Kazakhstan).
The 11th Women Africa Cup of Nations will hold in Accra and Cape Coast from 17th November to 1st December, before which draws for the eight nation championship will hold this Sunday, 21st October.
The Falcons defeated hosts Cameroon 1-0 in the final of the last edition of the Women Africa Cup of Nations in December 2016.
