International Friendlies: Madugu invites Nnadozie, Ajibade, Payne, 20 others for Cameroon

Super Falcons’ Head Coach Justine Madugu has invited a total of 23 players, among them captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Michelle Alozie, midfielder Toni Payne and forward Rinsola Babajide, for the upcoming two friendly matches against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon. 

There are also defenders Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin and Shukurat Oladipo, midfielders Deborah Abiodun and Jennifer Echegini, and forwards Ifeoma Onumonu and Francisca Ordega.

The Falcons and the Lionesses will face off at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo on Saturday, 31^st May, before a second confrontation at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta on Tuesday, 3^rd June. 

While the Falcons will use the matches as part of their preparations for the 13^th Women Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco, 5^th – 26^th July, the Lionesses will use the games to stay in shape for future challenges, having failed to qualify for this year’s Women AFCON finals. 

All invited 23 players have been directed to arrive at the Am2pm Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on Monday, 26^th May.

Nine-time champions Nigeria (they also won the two non-tournament-format competitions in 1991 and 1995) will be up against Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana in group B of the 13^th Women AFCON in Morocco.     

SUPER FALCONS FOR LIONESSES’ CHALLENGE:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens); Morufa Ademola (Edo Queens) 

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lionesses, England); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Edo Queens); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens) 

Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Josephine Mathias (Nasarawa Amazons); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Amarachi Odoma (Edo Queens) 

Forwards: Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia); Olamide Bolaji (Remo Stars Ladies); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Emem Essien (Edo Queens) 

Flamingos, Eaglets provide lustre for 22^nd National Sports Festival

Five-time world champions Golden Eaglets and FIFA World Cup-bound Flamingos have been adding colour and panache to the ongoing 22^nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The two teams are part of the exciting new concept of IJA (Invited Junior Athletes) which has drawn praise from observers and stakeholders since the commencement of the Games.

The Golden Eaglets are in a three-team pool, and have already shot their way to the quarter-finals of the football event after a 2-1 win over Edo State on Monday, and a scoreless draw with Delta State on Tuesday. Abdulmuiz Adeleke and Mohammed Imrana were the scorers for the Eaglets. 

The Flamingos, who flew over and above South Africa and Algeria to reach their eighth FIFA World Cup finals, drew 0-0 with Abia State on Monday and defeated Delta State 1-0 on Tuesday. Defender Jumai Adebayo was the scorer. 

On Thursday, the Flamingos will take on Lagos State, and conclude their attrition in group B with a game against Enugu State on Saturday. 

PHOTO NEWS:

The U20 Boys’ National Team, Flying Eagles, have returned to the country from the just-concluded U20 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt, where they won the bronze medals and also earned a ticket to this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals taking place in Chile. The contingent flew back to Abuja on Tuesday afternoon.