Paris 2024: Nicole Payne returns as Rinsola Babajide gets maiden Nigeria call-up

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

UDG Tenerife forward, Rinsola Babajide has been called up to the Nigeria senior women’s national team as PSG defender Nicole Payne makes a return for this month’s Paris 2024 Olympics qualifiers against Ethiopia.

The former English junior international is part of the 22 players invited to the Super Falcons camp, having successful completed her international switch from England, just as Nicole returned to the fold for the first time since the 2022 Women’s African Cup of Nations joined her teammate at the Spanish side, Gift Monday who also made the list.

Rosengard’s Halimatu Ayinde, Paris FC goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Osinachi Ohale, and forward Asisat Oshoala headlined the list of top stars invited for the clash.

Ethiopia will host the first leg of the second-round fixture in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, 25th October with the second leg in Nigeria on Tuesday, 31st October.

Ethiopia eliminated Chad in the first round of the series as nine-time African champions Nigeria drew a bye.

Paris, France will host next year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, with the West Africans featuring thrice at the Olympics in 2000, 2004, and 2008 and best performance was a quarter-final finish in 2004 (Athens, Greece).

After missing out of the last three editions, a return to the women’s football event of the Olympics is top on the team’s radar after a fantastic Round of 16 showing at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

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

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca FC, Mexico); Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Nicole Payne (Paris Saint Germain, France); Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France)

Midfielders: Halimatu Ayinde (Rosengard FC, Sweden); Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Regina Otu (AS Saint Etienne, France)

Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona Feminine, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday ((Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Opeyemi Ajakaye (FC Robo Queens)