Falcons’ camp opens in Abuja

Assistant Coach of the Super Falcons of Nigeria, Ann Chiejine, has expressed happiness with the turn –out of invited players for the Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifying fixture slated for next month, against the winner of the first round fixture between Senegal and Guinea.

According to the former Falcons’ goalkeeper: "We are happy with the turn out of players right now. We have twenty-seven players in camp. And there is no problem so far and we are praying that there won't be any."

"We have been having light training but we'll be commencing our full training session on Monday, 7th March, 2016 at the FIFA Goal Project of the National Stadium, twice daily. The morning training starts by 7am and evening by 5pm."

Chiejine, who has excelled as a club –level women football Coach at the National Sports Festival, also expressed satisfaction and joy at the response by the foreign -based players.

She revealed: " We have gotten in touch with the clubs of the foreign based players and their response is favourable. They have agreed to release them to join us as soon as possible."

Super Falcons remain the powerhouse of African women football. Since making its international debut on February 16th, 1991 the team has won seven of the nine African Women Championships held so far, in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2014, and won the All-Africa Games women football gold in 2003 and 2007. The Falcons have been to seven FIFA World Cup final competitions in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015.

The twenty-seven players in camp presently are:

Ibubeleye Whyte (Rivers Angels); Sandra Chichi (Bayelsa Queens); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Osun Babes); Onyinyechukwu Okeke (Inneh Queens); Blessing Edoho (Pelican Stars); Osinachi Ohale (Rivers Angels); Sarah Nnodim (Nasarawa Amazons); Ugo Njoku (Rivers Angels); Chisom Henry (Sunshine Queens); Ayomide Ojo (Police Machine); Joy Jegede (Delta Queens); Gladys Akpa (Sunshine Queens); Cecilia Nku (Rivers Angels); Evelyn Nwabuoku (Kazygurt, Kazakhstan); Martina Ohadugha (Rivers Angels); Osarenoma Igbinovia (Bayelsa Queens); Ginika Nkeoma (Bayelsa Queens); Amarachi Okoronkwo (Nasarawa Amazons); Chioma Wogu (Kogi Confluence); Winifred Eyebhokia (Nasarawa Amazons); Chinaza Uchendu (Nasarawa Amazons); Loveth Ayila (Rivers Angels); Joy Bokiri (Bayelsa Queens); Victoria Aidelomon (Bayelsa Queens); Abibat Agbaji (Confluence Queens); Ijeoma Obi (Sunshine Queens); Emueje Oghiagbevha (Delta Queens)

Foreign -based players expected are:

Onome Ebi (FC Minsk, Belarus); Josephine Chukwunonye (Vittsjoe GIK, Sweden); Ngozi Ebere (PSG Ladies, France); Halimatu Ayinde (New York Flash, USA); Desire Oparanozie (EN Avent de Guingamp, France); Ngozi Okobi (Vittsjoe GIK, Sweden); Asisat Oshoala (Liverpool Ladies); Faith Ikidi (Pitea FC, Sweden); Rita Chikwelu (Umea IK, Sweden); Esther Sunday (Trabzon Idman Ozagi, Turkey); Esther Sunday (Trabzon Idman Ozagi, Turkey); Chinwendu Ihezuo; Francisca Ordega (Washington Spirit, USA); Ebere Orji (Ferencvaros, Hungary).