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Barcelona Femeni forward Asisat Oshoala and US-based Jennifer Echegini have both asked to be left out of the squad to face Cape Verde.
Five-time African player of the year Asisat Oshola and midfielder Jennifer Echegini have been replaced by coach Justin Madugu ahead of Super Falcons’ clash with Cape Verde.
The replacement was done after the duo voluntarily opted out of the Super Falcons’ squad, seeking to book a place at the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
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13:40 - 23.11.2023
I am still Super Falcons captain - 40-year-old Onome Ebi declares
The veteran defender now plies her trade in the Nigerian Women's Football League (NWFL) with Naija Ratels.
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23:30 - 22.11.2023
UWCL: Oshoala unused in consecutive games as Barcelona come from behind to beat Frankfurt
Barcelona completed a comeback to beat Frankfurt in their first Champions League away game of the season.
Nigeria will host Cape Verde on Thursday, November 30th at the Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja, with the return leg slated for Tuesday, December 5th at the Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde.
We are surprised that Oshoala and Echegini pulled out - NFF
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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Assistant Director (Technical) Abdulrafiu Yusuf, said the board is surprised that both players pulled out of the Cape Verde clash.
According to him, the two players had their flight tickets sent to them so they could travel to Nigeria. However, both players only announced on Saturday that they would not be joining the squad.
“We were surprised that they had the flight tickets for so long and did not say anything, only for them to send different messages on Saturday that they would be unable to make the trip. However, Coach Madugu has moved swiftly to call up replacements for them,” disclosed Yusuf.
The New Squad for Cape Verde
Midfield lynchpin Halimatu Ayinde, who missed the 2024 Olympics qualifying fixture against Ethiopia last month, is still out injured, and forward Ifeoma Onumonu also requested to be left out, saying she is nursing an injury. Defender Michelle Alozie told the team administrator she would be undergoing surgery.
Madugu has called up Portugal-based Peace Efih to once again fill the space vacated by Ayinde; Rivers Angels’ midfielder Motunrayo Ezekiel will take the place of Christy Ucheibe, who is unable to travel to Nigeria from her base in Portugal.
Nigeria U20 forward Chioma Olise will replace US-based Echegini, while Chiamaka Chukwu of Rivers Angels has been called up to take Oshoala’s place.
New List of Invited Players
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Christiana Obia (Edo Queens)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca FC, Mexico); Glory Edet (FCF TP Mazembe, DR Congo); Rihanat Kasali (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Akudo Ogbonna (Remo Stars Ladies); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France)
Midfielders: Motunrayo Ezekiel (Rivers Angels); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Chioma Olise (Edo Queens)
Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Chiamaka Chukwu (Rivers Angels); Esther Okoronkwo (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)
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