Friendlies: Algeria releases 22-player roster for Super Falcons doubleheader

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Ahead of this month’s highly anticipated friendly matches between Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, and Algeria, the North African nation has unveiled a 22-player squad.

Algeria’s roster features a mix of home-based and foreign-based players, representing countries across Europe and the Middle East, including France, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, and several domestic players. This diverse squad is set to pose a strong challenge to the Super Falcons in the upcoming encounters.

The first friendly match will take place on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, with the second encounter scheduled three days later at the same venue.

Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has named a 25-player squad for the double-header, which includes captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, and 23 other players.

This marks the first time the Falcons will play international friendly matches on home soil since the Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament at the same venue three years ago.

Prior to that, the Falcons last played home friendlies at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja in 2014, against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon.

Madugu has also called up Turkey-based defender Oluwatosin Demehin, Comfort Folorunsho from Edo Queens, Spain-based Gift Monday, as well as a number of home-based professionals and players who featured for the Falconets at the recent FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.

This will be the first regrouping of the Super Falcons since their participation in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France this past summer, following the departure of American coach Randy Waldrum.

The upcoming friendlies are crucial as Madugu continues to fine-tune his squad for future competitions and aims to build momentum with a strong showing against Algeria.

Algeria roster to face Super Falcons

Abadou Lea
Alouache Ouassila
Belkhiter Morgane
Bounbezari Hanna Lina
Bouhani Naima
Boussaha Lina
Boutaleb Ines
Bouzid Wissem
Chebel Imane
D’oria Meline
Guellati Sofia
Hamideche Aicha
Ikene Morgane
Kendouci Zeyneb
Khelif Lina
Naili Nouhed
Salah Amel
Smaali Sabrina
Takenint Kahina
Taleb Muller Laura
Lounas Lamia
Bahri Ikram

SUPER FALCONS TO PLAY ALGERIA

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Monle Oyono (Edo Queens); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)

Defenders: Chidinma Okeke (Club America, Mexico); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive FC, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Edo Queens); Florence Alexander (Bayelsa Queens); Blessing Ilivieda (Edo Queens); Sikiratu Isa (Nasarawa Amazons); Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens); Tessy Ojiyovwi (Nasarawa Amazons); Chidinma Ogbuchi (FC Robo Queens)

Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Esther Onyenezide (Hapoel Katamon, Israel); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Chioma Olise (Edo Queens); Josephine Matthias (Nasarawa Amazons); Amarachi Odoma (Edo Queens)

Forwards: Gift Monday (UDG Tenerife, Spain); Goodness Osigwe (Edo Queens); Janet Akekoromowei (Nasarawa Amazons); Delight Nwosu (Bayelsa Queens); Folashade Ijamilusi (Edo Queens); Mercy Omokwo (Bayelsa Queens); Olamide Bolaji (Remo Stars Ladies)