Super Falcons prepare for international friendly match with France

By Tosin Omojola

Super Falcons Head Coach, Justine Madugu, has invited 20 players, including CAF Awards nominee and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defenders Osinachi Ohale and Ashleigh Plumptre, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Jennifer Echegini, as well as forwards Gift Monday and Rinsola Babajide, for Saturday’s international friendly match against the Les Bleues of France.

The match is scheduled to take place at the Stade Raymond Kopa in Angers, France, with kick-off set for 9:30 PM local time.

Also on the roster are US-based defender Michelle Alozie, Turkey-based Oluwatosin Demehin, midfielder Adoo Yina, and forwards Mercy Omokwo and Ifeoma Onumonu. Joining them are Toni Payne, currently playing for Everton Ladies in England, and Falconets’ stars Rofiat Imuran and Shukurat Oladipo, who shone at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia this September.

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, another CAF Awards nominee, will miss the match due to injury.

The French team will use the match as part of their preparations for the UEFA Nations League in the spring and the 2025 UEFA Women’s Championship in Switzerland. For the Super Falcons, it will serve as an opportunity to test new players and prepare for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Already drawn into Group B of the WAFCON tournament alongside Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana, Madugu sees the game against the Les Bleues as a valuable test for his nine-time African champions.

All invited players will fly directly to France, where they will be joined by the coaching crew and backroom staff.

Full Squad List:

Goalkeepers:

Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France)

Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels)

Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)

Defenders:

Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca, Mexico)

Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA)

Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia)

Rofiat Imuran (London City Lionesses, England)

Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons)

Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray, Turkey)

Midfielders:

Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint-Germain, France)

Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England)

Josephine Mathias (Nasarawa Amazons)

Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)

Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens)

Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons)

Forwards:

Blessing Nkor (Pyramids FC, Egypt)

Gift Monday (UDG Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)

Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France)

Rinsola Babajide (UDG Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)

Mercy Omokwo (Bayelsa Queens)