Nigeria's national women's football team, the Super Falcons, have unveiled their 23-player squad for the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) made the announcement on Friday, generating excitement among football fans and supporters. Head coach Randy Waldrum has carefully selected a diverse and talented group of 23 players to represent the Super Falcons on the global stage.
The squad comprises several notable names, including Assiat Oshoala, Ashleigh Plumptre, Onome Ebi, Desire Oparanozie, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Francisca Ordega, Rasheedat Ajibade, Uchenna Kanu, and Gift Monday. These individuals possess a wealth of experience and skills that will undoubtedly contribute to the team's performance.
Other players named in the squad are Osinachi Ohale, Halimatu Ayinde, Ifeoma Onumonu, Toni Payne, Michelle Alozie Tochukwu Oluehi, and former Falconets stars Deborah Abiodun, Rofiat Imuran, and Tosin Demehin. Together, these players bring a mix of youthfulness, determination, and technical prowess to the Super Falcons' lineup.
The Super Falcons find themselves in Group A alongside co-hosts Australia, Olympic champions Canada, and debutants the Republic of Ireland. The group stage matches promise to be challenging, with each opponent presenting a unique set of strengths and playing styles. Nigeria's first match will be against Canada on July 21, followed by a clash with Australia on July 27. The group phase will conclude for the Super Falcons on July 31 when they face the Republic of Ireland.
This year's FIFA Women's World Cup will commence on July 20 and culminate on August 20. The tournament is set to showcase the talent and competitiveness of women's football across the globe. As the Super Falcons make their preparations, expectations are high among fans and supporters, who eagerly anticipate the team's performance on this grand stage.
FIFA Coca-Cola Women’s Ranking
The recent FIFA Coca-Cola women's ranking reflects Nigeria's upward trajectory, as the Super Falcons have climbed two places to 40th in the world. In Africa, they continue to assert their dominance as the number one team, having clinched the Africa Women's Cup of Nations title on nine occasions.
Joining them from the continent are African champions South Africa, ranked 54th in the world (second in Africa), Morocco at 72nd (seventh in Africa), and Zambia at 77th (ninth in Africa). These teams will collectively represent Africa and strive to make their mark on the global stage.
Nigeria women national team have moved two steps up to being ranked 40th in the world and 1st in Africa according to the latest FIFA Women's World Ranking released on Friday, 9 June.
Super Falcons have now climbed a total of five steps within the last 90 days. pic.twitter.com/VPqAducM5u
— FAJ Sports (@FajSports) June 9, 2023
Super Falcons Full Squad List
Goalkeepers
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Tochukwu Oluehi (Hakkarigucu Spor FC, Turkey); Yewande Balogun (AS Saint-Etienne, France)
.@NGSuper_Falcons 23 for AUNZ 23’ Women's World Cup #SoarSuperFalcons pic.twitter.com/lWd1KUbcHH
— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) June 16, 2023
Defenders
Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Onome Ebi (Abia Angels); Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain); Glory Ogbonna (Besiktas JK, Turkey); Ashleigh Plumptre (Leicester City, England); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA)
Midfielders
Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Halimatu Ayinde (Rosengard FC, Sweden); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels); Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University, USA)
Forwards
Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona Femenine, Spain); Gift Monday (UDG Tenerife, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, Kentucky, USA); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Desire Oparanozie (Wuhan Chegu Jianghan, China); Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Esther Okoronkwo (AS Saint-Etienne, France)
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago