Rivers Angels’ Oshoala Headlines Falconets 21-Lady Squad for Canada

Super Falcons’ playmaker Asisat Oshoala and former U-17 stars Patience Okaeme are among the list of 21 ladies released by the head coach of Nigeria’s Under-20 women’s team, Peter Dedevbo, for next month’s World Cup in Canada. The Falconets departed the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, for Moncton, Canada aboard a Lufthansa Airlines flight en route Frankfurt on Thursday, ahead of the tournament slated for August 5-24. Oklahoma State University football team start Courtney Dike- younger sister of Super Eagles forward Bright Dike- is the only foreign-based pro included in the squad which includes three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders and six strikers. Nigeria have featured in every edition of the tournament since its maiden edition in 2002, still in Canada.

Pelicans Stars Striker Uchenna Kanu Celebrates Scoring for Nigeria's Flamingoes During Last Year's U-17 World Cup.
Pelicans Stars Striker Uchenna Kanu Celebrates Scoring for the Flamingoes During Last Year’s Under-17 World Cup.

The country reached the Final in Germany four years ago and also made the semi finals in Japan in 2012. Dedevbo’s ward are drawn in Group C alongside England, South Korea and Mexico. The Falconets’ opening fixture comes against Mexico on August 6 in Moncton, before their penultimate group clash with South Korea at the same venue three days later. The team then embark on a trip to Edmonton, where they face England on August 13 at the Commonwealth Stadium. THE FULL LIST Goalkeepers: Sandra Chiihii (Ibom Angels); Ibijoke Sangonuga (Inneh Queens); Chiudo Ehiudo (Delta Queens) Defenders: Ebere Okoye (Nasarawa Amazons); Jiroro Idike (Delta Queens); Maryam Ibrahim (Nasarawa Amazons); Sarah Nnodim (Delta Queens); Ugo Njoku (Rivers Angels); Victoria Aidelomon (Pelican Stars); Gladys Abasi (Ibom Angels) Midfielders: Asisat Oshoala (Rivers Angels); Patience Okaeme (Delta Queens); Halimatu Ayinde (Delta Queens); Yetunde Adeboyejo (Bayelsa Queens); Osarenoma Igbinovia (Inneh Queens) Forwards: Loveth Ayila (Makwada Babes); Courtney Dike (Oklahoma State University, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Pelican Stars); Yetunde Aluko (Sunshine Queens); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pelican Stars); Uchechi Sunday (Rivers Angels)