Nigeria’s female national team, Super Falcons’ coach, Randy Waldrum will be relying on a pool of 23 top players to snatch top spot at this year’s International Women’s Invitational Competition in Alanya, Turkey, megasportsarena.com reports.
This is sequel to information released by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) revealing the names of all players invited by Waldrum for the upcoming competition, which begins this Sunday, with the bulk of players called up coming from the group that reached the round of 16 at the 2018 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
Top of the list are goalkeepers Tochukwu Oluehi and Chiamaka Nnadozie, defenders Onome Ebi and Chidinma Okeke, midfielders Rita Chikwelu, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene and Halimatu Ayinde, and forwards Gift Monday, Rasheedat Ajibade and skipper of the side, Asisat Oshoala.
It is he first roster to be compiled by the American soccer tactician, who was expected to arrive ahead of the players in the Turkish countryside, where the competition starts this Sunday, with Waldrum hoping to be first time successful with the nine-time African champions,
A press release by the NFF’s communications department added: “Reigning African champions Nigeria will land in Antalya on Monday to participate in the fifth edition of the Turkish Women’s Cup taking place 15th – 24th February.
“It is the first run-out for the Super Falcons, who reached the Round of 16 at the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in France in the summer of 2019, since being shockingly edged out of the race for the Tokyo Olympics by Cote d’Ivoire penultimate autumn.
“It is also the first call of new Head Coach, American Randy Waldrum, with the squad he is expected to mould into credible competitors for honours at global level.
“Ukraine, Serbia, India, Bulgaria, Uzbekistan and Equatorial Guinea are among teams confirmed so far for the 10-day tourney, though Tokyo Olympics-bound Zambia have pulled out for undisclosed reasons.
“Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea’s Nzalang Nacional have been lumped into the same pool alongside Uzbekistan, with the Guineans handed an opportunity to address a 6-0 spanking by the Nigerians in the group phase of the 2018 Women Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ghana.
“Also known as the Alanya Gold City Cup, the tournament ranks as one of the more notable events on the women’s football calendar worldwide. The Falcons will aim to become the first African side to triumph at the tournament.
“(The is) following the third place finish by Ghana’s Black Queens last year. Chile won the trophy with Hungary as runner-up. Poland (2017) and France (2018 and 2019) are the other previous winners of the Alanya Gold City Cup.”
