Falcons coach drops Oparanozie, Okobi, Oshoala for Gambia qualifier
Barcelona FC Women of Cyprus defender Ngozi Ebere tops the list of 26 players that have been invited by Super Falcons head coach, Thomas Dennerby for the first leg of the 2018 Africa Women’s Championship (AWC) qualifier against Gambia on June 2.
. Invites 26
Barcelona FC Women of Cyprus defender Ngozi Ebere tops the list of 26 players that have been invited by Super Falcons head coach, Thomas Dennerby for the first leg of the 2018 Africa Women’s Championship (AWC) qualifier against Gambia on June 2.
Surprisingly Dennerby has dropped current Africa female player, Asisat Oshoala, Desire Oparanozie, Francisca Ordega, Ngozi Okobi and the regulars who were part of the friendly against France last April. Ebere is the only invited professional on the list dominated by the home based players that featured in the WAFU Women’s Tournanent in Cote D’Ivoire.
The invited players are expected to report to the team’s camp on Thursday, May 9 in Abuja.
“Head coach Thomas Dennerby has called up 26 players, including overseas-based defender Ngozi Ebere, and they are to resume camp in Abuja on Thursday,’’said Spokesman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Ademola Olajire.
SportingLife.ng reports that the team’s camping is in four stages with the first expected to hold between May 10 and May 15.
The second phase will hold between May 17 and May 22, while the third phase is set for May 24 to June 1.
The NFF disclosed that only players selected for the trip to Banjul would take part in the fourth phase of camping scheduled for June 2 to June 12.
The two-leg fixture will take place between June 4 and June 12 with the Gambians hosting the opening leg in Banjul.
The federation has chosen June 11 to host the second leg in Nigeria.
Victory over two legs against the Gambians, who eliminated Burkina Faso in the preliminary round, will earn eight-time
champions Nigeria to the 11th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ghana.
INVITED PLAYERS
Goalkeepers: Christy Ohiaeriaku (Confluence Queens); Tochukwu Oluehi (Rivers Angels); Chioma Nwankwo (Nasarawa Amazons)
Defenders: Ngozi Ebere (Barcelona FC Women, Cyprus); Emmanuella Ingenue (Pelican Stars); Rebecca Ajiga (Edo Queens); Gineka Ikeh (Bayelsa Queens); Sarah Nnodim (Nasarawa Amazons)
Ugochi Emenayo (Nasarawa Amazons); Joy Jegede (Bayelsa Queens); Mariam Ibrahim (Nasarawa Amazons); Maureen Okpalla (Confluence Queens)
Midfielders: Amarachi Okoronkwo (Nasarawa Amazons); Osas Igbinovia (Bayelsa Queens); Goodness Onyebuchi (Sunshine Queens)
Patience Agbokade (Sunshine Queens); Orjiugo Godson (Abia Angels); Evelyn Nwabuoku (Rivers Angels); Ogechi Ukwuoma (Pelican Stars)
Forwards: Chinaza Uchendu (Rivers Angels); Joy Jerry (Bayelsa Queens); Tessy Biahwo (Bayelsa Queens); Ijeoma Obi (Bayelsa Queens)
Zainab Olapade (Jokodolu Babes); Glory Oshaghe (Confluence Queens); Nneka Julius (Edo Queens)