By Akinwale Kasali
After so much condemnation and criticism of Africa Soccer Governing Body, Confederation of African Football, CAF, for pitching the two top female soccer nations of the continent, Nigeria and Ghana together in the qualifiers of the African Women Cup of Nation, AWCON, slated for next year, in Morocco, CAF has refused to bulge, rather, the match between the duo will go ahead.
The qualifiers between the Super Falcons and the Black Queens of Ghana is also the qualifying route for the 2023 FIFA World Cup in Australia. The semi finalists for the 2022 AWCON tournament will qualify for the World showpiece.
Not leaving any stone unturned and preparing ahead of the crunchy tie with its West African neighbour and rivals, Super Falcons Coach, Randy Waldrum has invited -form Barcelona striker, and Captain of the National team, Asisat Oshoala, who has now scored nine times in her last six games in all competitions. and Madrid CFF’s Rita Chikwelu also made the cut.
Atletico Madrid’s Rasheedat Ajibade, AIK FC’s Joy Bokiri, Paris FC’s Chiamaka Nnadozie
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has said that camp will open ahead of the October 20 tie on Sunday, with the first leg taking place on Wednesday, October 20 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
The reverse fixture takes place four days later in Accra as the winners on aggregate join host nation Atlas Lionesses and ten others for the 12th edition.
The full squad of players invited for the double header are: Goalkeepers: Tochukwu Oluehi (Maccabi Kishronot Hadera, Israel); Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Yewande Balogun (California Storm, USA).
Defenders: Onome Ebi (Minsk FC, Belarus); Glory Ogbonna (Umea FC, Sweden); Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain); Ayomide Ojo (Edo Queens); Rafiat Imuran (Rivers Angels); Opeyemi Sunday (Edo Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Rivers Angels); Akudo Ogbonna (Edo Queens).
Midfielders: Rita Chikwelu (Madrid CFF, Spain); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Toni Oyedupe Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Regina Otu (Minsk FC, Belarus); Goodness Onyebuchi (Edo Queens); Joy Bokiri (AIK FC, Sweden).
Forwards: Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona, Spain); Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Gift Monday (FC Robo Queens); Uchenna Kanu (Linkopings FC, Sweden); Desire Oparanozie (Dijon FC, France); Vivian Ikechukwu (Rivers Angels).
; Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Yewande Balogun (California Storm, USA).){kind=link}