The Super Falcons, African women champions, will depart Abuja for Larnaca on Sunday to take part in the annual Cyprus Women’s Cup tournament which begins on Wednesday.
The team’s handlers have selected 24 players for the tournament, which will also have another of Africa’s three flagbearers at this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in France – South Africa.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other participants at the tournament are Mexico, Italy, Finland, Belgium, Slovakia, Korea DPR, Czech Republic, Thailand, Hungary and Austria.
The Super Falcons’ first match at the tournament is against Austria on Wednesday, before further games against Slovakia (March 1) and Belgium (March 4) in the group phase.
March 6 has been fixed for the final match of the tournament, while other classification matches will hold from March 3 to March 12.
The team’s players and officials are scheduled to arrive in Abuja on Friday, with training sessions on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday morning, before departure by Egypt Air on Sunday evening.
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The delegation will stop over in Cairo on Sunday and arrive in Larnaca on Monday.
Former African Woman Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala and fellow striker Desire Oparanozie, who both missed the China Women’s Tournament in January, are part of the 24-member squad this time.
There are also goalkeepers Tochukwu Oluehi and Chiamaka Nnadozie, as well as defenders Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale, Glory Ogbonna and Faith Michael.
Midfielders Rita Chikwelu, Amarachi Okoronkwo, Ngozi Okobi and Halimatu Ayinde, and forwards Chinwendu Ihezuo, Ini-Abasi Umotong, Rasheedat Ajibade and Francisca Ordega were also included.
Former junior international Uchenna Kanu, now a student in the US, has also been called up.
In China, the Falcons lost 0-3 to the host nation before bouncing back to whip Romania 4-1 in Meizhou.
24 SUPER FALCONS FOR CYPRUS CUP
Goalkeepers: Tochukwu Oluehi; Christy Ohiaeriaku; Chiamaka Nnadozie
Defenders: Glory Ogbonna; Faith Michael; Onome Ebi; Osinachi Ohale; Josephine Chukwunonye; Ngozi Ebere
Midfielders: Amarachi Okoronkwo; Ngozi Okobi; Rita Chikwelu; Halimatu Ayinde; Cecilia Nku.
Forwards: Anam Imo; Asisat Oshoala; Rasheedat Ajibade; Francisca Ordega; Chinaza Uchendu; Chinwendu Ihezuo; Alice Ogebe; Ini-Abasi Umotong; Alice Ogebe; Uchenna Kanu. (NAN)
