Forward of the highly-anticipated conflict between Nigeria and South Africa for a spot on the girls’s soccer occasion of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Tremendous Falcons camp opens on Sunday with the Nigeria Soccer Federation asserting that Asisat Oshoala shouldn’t be anticipated till Thursday, PUNCH Sports activities Further reviews.
In line with the media group of the NFF, Captain and Atletico Madrid ahead, Rasheedat Ajibade, will likely be among the many early birds because the group begins preparation for the sport in opposition to the Banyana Banyana.
The 2 groups, arguably one of the best girls soccer squads on the African continent, will battle in a two-legged affair as they battle for one of many two tickets from Africa for Paris 2024 Olympics girls’s soccer.
The primary leg of the encounter will happen on the Moshood Abiola Nationwide Stadium, Abuja on Friday whereas the return leg is scheduled for the Loftus Versfeld enviornment in Pretoria 5 days later.
Ajibade, whose savvy, ability and sapience helped the Falcons to the Spherical of 16 eventually 12 months’s FIFA Girls’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, will likely be joined within the roost by home-based goalkeeper Linda Jiwuaku and defender Jumoke Alani, who was drafted in following harm to Saudi Arabia-based Ashleigh Plumptre, as early birds.
Debutant Shukurat Oladipo, veteran goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, Japan-based Chidinma Okeke and Spain-based ahead Reward Monday are anticipated in camp early on Monday whereas the remainder of the squad will likely be in by Tuesday aside from USA-based African queen Oshoala, who shouldn’t be anticipated till Thursday.
South Africa’s delegation, together with 24 gamers, will land in Abuja on Monday (in the present day) night.
The Falcons are extra-motivated for this fixture, having not crushed the Banyana in regulation time for a few years now, and having watched because the South Africans carted away the Girls Africa Cup of Nations trophy in Morocco final 12 months after the Banyana edged them 2-1 in a bunch part match.
Nigeria will financial institution on the bravery of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, a rearguard anticipated to incorporate World Cup stars Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie and maybe returnee Chidinma Okeke and beginner Oladipo, a midfield of no-nonsense duo Halimatu Ayinde and Christy Ucheibe spiced with the nifty Ajibade and the slicky Deborah Abiodun and a fore-line of Esther Okoronkwo and Uchenna Kanu with Reward Monday, Omorinsola Babajide and returnee Chiwendu Ihezuo additionally out there.
