Oshoala, Nwabuoku, Oparanozie Headline Falcons’ World Cup Squad

Goalkeeper Precious Dede, skipper Evelyn Nwabuoku and striker Asisat Oshoala are among a list of 23 players named in the Super Falcons’ squad for the 2015 Fifa World Cup in Canada.

Coach Edwin Okon has also included Courtney Dike, one of the star performers at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup also in Canada, as well as top Scorer at the 2014 African Women Championship, Desire Oparanozie, defenders Onome Ebi, Josephine Chukwunonye and Ngozi Ebere; midfielder Halimatu Ayinde, veteran striker Perpetua Nkwocha.

Goalkeeper Sandra Chiichi and 2012 FIFA U-17 World Cup top scorer, Chinwendu Ihezuo, failed to make the final cut.

Nigeria Super Falcons Have Featured in All Seven Editions of the Fifa World Cup.
Nigeria Super Falcons Have Featured in All Seven Editions of the Fifa World Cup.

Nigeria play Sweden, Australia and USA in Group D at the 7th FIFA Women’s World Cup, with their first match against Sweden in Winnipeg on Monday, 8th June.

The full squad

Goalkeepers: Precious Dede (Ibom Queens); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Rivers Angels); Ibubeleye Whyte (Rivers Angels)

Defenders: Blessing Edoho (Pelican Stars); Osinachi Ohale (Rivers Angels); Onome Ebi (FC Minsk, Belarus); Josephine Chukwunonye (Rivers Angels); Ugo Njoku (Rivers Angels); Ngozi Ebere (Rivers Angels); Sarah Nnodim (Nasarawa Amazons)

Midfielders: Evelyn Nwabuoku (BIIK Kazygurt, Kazakhstan); Halimatu Ayinde (Delta Queens); Martina Ohadugha (Rivers Angels); Cecilia Nku (Rivers Angels)

Forwards: Perpetua Nkwocha (Clemensnas IF, Sweden); Esther Sunday (FC Minsk, Belarus); Asisat Oshoala (Liverpool Ladies, England); Desire Oparanozie (En Avant Guingamp, France); Ngozi Okobi (Delta Queens); Francisca Ordega (Washington Spirit, USA); Loveth Ayila (Rivers Angels); Courtney Dike (Oklahoma State University, USA); Ini-Abasi Umotong (Portsmouth Ladies, England)