National Teams
Paris 2024: 7th NWFL keeper trialist named as Plumptre and Echegini return for Cameroon
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Head coach of Nigeria’s women’s team, Randy Waldrum has invited 21 players, with Ashleigh Plumptre, Halimatu Ayinde and Jennifer Echigini returning against Cameroon for the Paris 2024 Olympics qualifiers this month.
Waldrum’s return as substantive coach on a one-year contract extension, according to sources following the expiration of his two-year contract in October 2023 brings an end to interim services of Justin Madugu,who oversaw the team’s outings against Ethiopia and Cape Verde, guaranteeing the country’s ticket to 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.
Al-Ittihad Ladies defender Plumptre made her return to the squad after her last game for the Super Falcons against her birth country, England at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Round of 16.
New Juventus signing Echegini, who also featured at the last global showpiece will make her first appearance for the nine-time African champions since playing at the global women’s football mundial.
Also returning to the fold is Rosengard FC midfielder, Halimatu Ayinde, who had been out due to injury since she featured prominently at the World Cup.
Regular suspects like record Africa women’s footballer of the year, Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Michelle Alozie, Tosin Demehin, Christy Ucheibe, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Toni Payne made the squad.
Meanwhile, Linda Jiwaku earned her first ever call-up to the country’s senior national team despite her limited playing time at Bayelsa Queens following the good form of former Falcons invite Onyinyechi Okere this season.
The 2022 U17 Women’s World Cup bronze winning goalkeeper becomes the sixth different goalkeeper from the Nigeria Women Football League to earn a call-up to the senior national team under Randy Waldrum’s watch.
During Waldrum’s stint, two-time Wafcon winner Christy Ohiaeriaku, Rita Akarekor, Monle Oyono, Etim Sunday, Onyinyechi Okere and Christiana Obia are the previous sixth to have earned call-ups, without featuring in a match.
The Super Falcons are scheduled to resume camp in Abuja on Sunday, February 18 and will travel to Douala on Wednesday, February 21 before returning to Abuja on February 25.
The first leg of the Olympics Qualifiers for the women’s football event is slated for Douala, Cameroon on February 23, 2024. The return leg will take place three days later on February 26 in Abuja.
Victors will proceed to the last stage of the qualifiers to face off against winner of Tanzania and South Africa in April.
Nigeria women squad for Cameroon
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualay Alsharqia FC); Linda Jiwaku (Bayelsa Queens)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca); Ashleigh Plumptre (Al-Ittihad Ladies); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims); Michele Alozie (Houston Dash); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims); Ogbonna Akudo Esther (Remo Stars)
Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh); Halimatu Ayinde (Rosengard); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica); Jennifer Echegini (Juventus); Rasheedat Ajibade (Athletico Madrid); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC)
Forwards: Rinsola Babajide (Costa Adeje Tenerife); Esther Okoronkwo (Hernan FC); Ifeoma Onumonu (SLC Utah); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville); Gift Monday (Costa Adeje Tenerife)
