In Preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Onyenezide Steps In for Ayinde
Three Players Missing for Falcons' Clash Against Ethiopia Ahead of Paris 2024 Olympic Games
In preparation for the 2024 Women's Olympic Football Tournament fixture against Ethiopia's senior national team, Nigeria's Super Falcons have made a key change in their squad. Midfielder Esther Onyenezide, who showcased her talents at the 2020 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup as Nigeria reached the quarterfinals, has replaced Halimatu Ayinde, a star of the 2023 FIFA World Cup.
The Nigerian delegation, consisting of home-based players, technical staff, and backroom personnel, arrived in Addis Ababa on Sunday for the first-leg encounter at the Abebe Bekila Stadium. Foreign-based players have also begun to join the squad for this important match.
Notably, midfielder Regina Otu and defender Osinachi Ohale will miss this fixture. Additionally, Christy Ucheibe, a World Cup star from Portuguese club SL Benfica, is also unavailable.
The Super Falcons will host the second leg of the second-round fixture at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja on October 31, 2023.
The winner on aggregate from this fixture will face the winner of the match between Cameroon and Uganda. While the Indomitable Lionesses received a bye, Uganda defeated Rwanda 4-3 on aggregate.
Ethiopia's senior women's national team, known as Lucy, defeated Chad's senior women's team 10-0 in the first round of the series, played in July. The Ethiopians won the first leg 6-0 in Addis Ababa on July 13 and then defeated their hosts 4-0 in N'Djamena five days later.
For tomorrow's encounter, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Algerian referee Lamia Atman, with her compatriots Asma Feriel Ouahab, Sara Kemmad, and Ghada Mehat serving as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2, and fourth official, respectively.
The Nigerian squad to Ethiopia includes goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC), Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia), and Monle Oyono (Bayelsa Queens).
The defensive lineup consists of Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens), Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France), Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA), Nicole Payne (Paris Saint Germain, France), Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens), and Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France). The midfield features Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens), Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal), Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain), and Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain).
Among the forwards are Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain), Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA), Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona Feminine, Spain), Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA), and Opeyemi Ajakaye (FC Robo Queens).
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