National Teams
Predicting Randy Waldrum’s 22-woman Nigeria squad for Paris 2024 Olympics
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Randy Waldrum is dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on the list of players he plans to take to the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The Nigeria manager will name a final squad of around 22 players, with less than a month before the start of Paris 2024 – potentially his final tournament in charge of the Super Falcons, with his contract expiring after the multi-sport event.
Ahead of the release of Nigeria’s senior women’s national team roster for Paris 2024, football enthusiasts are anxiously waiting following the team’s return to the Olympics after 16 years.
The Super Falcons’ high profile opponents in difficult Group C had named their squads, with Spain and Japan already announcing their 18 to 22-women roster for the women’s football event.
However, the West Africans alongside their South American foes Brazil are yet to release their squad for the tournament with three weeks to the kick of the global showpiece.
Ahead of Waldrum’s official roster release, Nigeriafootball.ng predicted probably squad for the nine-time African champions.
In the goalkeeping position, Paris FC save hands Chiamaka Nnadozie is a sure bet to make the list while Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia) retain her spot in the 18-player list to be invited against the normal 23.
In the defensive department, Waldrum is expected to retain confidence in most of his backline trojans at the last Women’s World Cup, considering Osinachi Ohale, Nicole Payne (Portland Thorns), Oluwatosin Demehin, Michelle Alozie, and Chidinma Okeke should make the roster.
In the middle of the pack, captain Rasheedat Ajibade alongside Deborah Abiodun, Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe, Jennifer Echegini, and Toni Payne should hold sway.
Upfront, record African Women’s Player of the Year winner Asisat Oshoala is likely to lead the pack of forwards, in the company of Esther Okoronkwo, Uchenna Kanu, Gift Monday, and Chinwendu Ihezuo would possibly make the shortlist.
The alternative positions in case of injuries are; Francesca Ordega (CSKA Moscow); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims), and Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain).
While the world awaits the official roster very soon, Waldrum will have a lot of selection headaches ahead.
Nigeria’s predicted 22-woman Squad for Paris 2024 Olympics
Goalkeepers (2): Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia);
Defenders (5): Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca Club de Futbol, Mexico); Tosin Demehin (Stade de Reims); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Nicole Payne (Portland Thorns FC, USA); Chidinma Okeke (Mynavi Sendai Ladies, Japan)
Midfielders (6): Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosengard, Sweden); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Jennifer Echegini (Juventus Ladies, Italy); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla)
Forwards (5): Esther Okoronkwo (Changchun FC, China); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Chiwendu Ihezuo (Pachuca Club de Futbol, Mexico); Gift Monday (Costa Adeje Tenerife, Spain)
Alternates: Francesca Ordega (CSKA Moscow); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims), Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)
