Paris 2024: Macleans Chinonyerem returns as Randy Waldrum names 22-woman roster for Olympics

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Head coach of Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, Randy Waldrum has named Lokomotiv Moscow forward, Macleans Chinonyerem in his final squad for this month’s Paris 2024 Olympics in France.

The 2022 highest goal scorer in the Polish women’s topflight is making her return to the national team after the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), her debut tournament for the team.

Regular prospects like captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Tochukwu Oluehi made the squad.

After recovering from injury, Stade de Reims defender, Oluwatosin Demehin also made a return to the team.

She will be in the defensive department alongside Osinachi Ohale, Michelle Alozie, Nicole Payne, and Chidinma Okeke.

Deborah Abiodun, Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe, Jennifer Echegini, and Toni Payne will be in the midfield department.

Forwards, Esther Okoronkwo, Uchenna Kanu, and Chiwendu Ihezuo also made the cut while Jumoke Alani, Ifeoma Onumonu, Gift Monday, and Morufa Ademola could only make the alternate players in the case of injuries.

Notable omissions are Rofiat Imuran of Stade Reims, Francisca Ordega of CSKA Moscow, Onome Ebi of Bnot Natanyu, Glory Ogbonna of Besiktas among others.

The team will face Brazil, Spain, and Japan in Group C.

SUPER FALCONS FOR PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca Club de Futbol, Mexico); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Nicole Payne (Portland Thorns FC, USA); Chidinma Okeke (Mynavi Sendai Ladies, Japan)

Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosengard, Sweden); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Jennifer Echegini (Juventus Ladies, Italy); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain)

Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Esther Okoronkwo (Changchun FC, China); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Chiwendu Ihezuo (Pachuca Club de Futbol, Mexico); Chinonyerem Macleans (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia)

Alternate Players: Jumoke Alani (Nasarawa Amazons); Ifeoma Onumonu (Utah Royals, USA); Gift Monday (Costa Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Morufa Ademola (Rivers Angels)