Nine Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership players made the squad of 24 players invited for the first round of the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers against Sao Tome and Principe.
Captain Onome Ebi of Naija Ratels alongside Akudo Ogbonna (Remo Stars Ladies), Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens), and Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens) are the home-based defenders on the roster.
Other domestic players included are Bayelsa Queens goalkeeper, Monle Oyono, Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens), Flourish Sabastine (Bayelsa Queens), Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (Rivers Angels), and Opeyemi Ajakaye (FC Robo Queens).
From disapora, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade, and forward Asisat Oshoala are among the foreign-based players expected for the duel.
Listed are defenders Oluwatosin Demehin, Michelle Alozie, and Rofiat Imuran, midfielders Rasheedat Ajibade and Toni Payne, and forwards Ifeoma Onumonu, Vivian Ikechukwu, and Gift Monday.
The first leg of the encounter will take place at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, on Friday, 22nd September, with the return leg scheduled for Tuesday, 26th September.
The winner of the two-legged clash will face either Cape Verde or Liberia in the next round. The 2024 WAFCON will be hosted by Morocco which staged the last edition in 2022.
ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Monle Oyono (Bayelsa Queens)
Defenders: Onome Ebi (Naija Ratels); Akudo Ogbonna (Remo Stars Ladies); 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); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France)
Midfielders: Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Regina Otu (AS Saint Etienne, France)
Forwards: Flourish Sebastine (Bayelsa Queens); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona Feminine, Spain); Vivian Ikechukwu (Besiktas JK, Turkey); Gift Monday (UDG Tenerife, Spain); Chiamaka Okuchukwu (Rivers Angels); Opeyemi Ajakaye (FC Robo Queens)