Asisat Oshoala, six time African Player of the Year, is back in the Super Falcons squad as Nigeria gears up for the 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Head coach Justine Madugu named a strong 24 player list on Friday, aiming to lead Nigeria to a record tenth continental title at the tournament scheduled for July 5 to 26.
Joining Oshoala on the frontline are vice captain Rasheedat Ajibade, top goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and veteran forward Francisca Ordega. Defender Ashleigh Plumptre also returns to the team, while US based Michelle Alozie, midfield stars Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini, and Christy Ucheibe, plus experienced centre back Osinachi Ohale, made the cut.
Training kicked off on Thursday in Abuja with more sessions continuing till Saturday before the team departs for a training camp in Lisbon, Portugal, on Sunday. While there, the Falcons will play two friendly matches to sharpen their game. They face Portugal’s national team on June 23 and Ghana’s Black Queens on June 29.
The final stretch of preparations begins June 25 when the team jets to Morocco for a 10 day camp before the action begins. Nigeria will face Tunisia in their opening Group B match on July 6 at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. Other group opponents are Botswana and Algeria.
Coach Madugu is hoping to restore the Falcons to glory after a disappointing fourth place finish in the last edition of the tournament. The team last lifted the trophy in 2018 and have won nine out of the 12 WAFCON editions since its start in 1998.
To drum up support for the team, the Nigeria Football Federation has launched a fan campaign called “Mission X” to rally fans across Nigeria and abroad. The campaign is aimed at uniting supporters to back the Falcons as they fight for their tenth crown.
NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, speaking from the United States, said the Falcons remain the most decorated team in African football and deserve all the support they can get.
“We are proud of what they have achieved and what they are going to do in Morocco. Mission X is to make sure every Nigerian everywhere stands with the team,” he said.
The Falcons are not just chasing a trophy, they are chasing history.
