Omagbemi picks Oshoala, Ordega, 16 others to battle Senegal

Head Coach of the Super Falcons, Florence Omagbemi has picked eighteen players, among whom are former African women’s footballer award winner, Arsenal’s Asisat Oshoala, Francisca Ordega of Washington Spirit, USA, to prosecute Africa Women Championship qualifying match against the Terenga Lioness of Senegal slated for Friday, 8 April in Dakar.

Other players called by Coach Omagbemi include Desire Oparanozie who plays for EN Avent de Guingamp, France, Ngozi Okobi (Vittsjoe GIK, Sweden), Evelyn Nwabuoku (Kazygurt, Kazakhstan) and a host of others who are on the home front.

The coach said after Tuesday’s training session that “It is not easy for me to drop anyone for this game. I wish I could go to Dakar with all the players but I cannot. We have to keep working together to achieve our common goal, which is winning. We are going to Senegal to win.”

She told the players who were dropped: “Not going to Senegal does not mean that you are not part of the team. You may not be part of the team going to Dakar now but you will still have the opportunity of fighting for a place in the team for the return leg next week.

“Keep working hard till we return from Dakar, and support your team mates going to Senegal with prayers for the team to be successful. The team’s success means everyone’s success.”

The Squad:

Ibubeleye Whyte (Rivers Angels); Sandra Chichi (Bayelsa Queens); Onome Ebi (FC Minsk, Belarus); Blessing Edoho (Pelican Stars); Josephine Chukwunonye (Vittsjoe GIK, Sweden); Osinachi Ohale (Rivers Angels); Ugo Njoku (Rivers Angels); Gladys Akpa (Sunshine Queens); Desire Oparanozie (EN Avent de Guingamp, France); Ngozi Okobi (Vittsjoe GIK, Sweden); Asisat Oshoala (Arsenal Ladies); Evelyn Nwabuoku (Kazygurt, Kazakhstan); Winifred Eyebhokia (Nasarawa Amazons); Francisca Ordega (Washington Spirit, USA); Osarenoma Igbinovia (Bayelsa Queens); Rita Chikwelu (Umea IK, Sweden); Chioma Wogu (Kogi Confluence); and Ebere Orji (Ferencvaros, Hungary).