Head Coach of the Super Falcons, Thomas Dennerby has left out US-based Nigerian striker Courtney Dike in the recently released list of 27 players for camping in Austria ahead of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup (FIFAWWC) in France.
The US-based forward made her return to the team this year but has now been considered surplus to requirement with other forwards taking her place.
With Dike out of the squad, Dennerby has shown faith in Uchenna Kanu – another US-based forward who showed great quality in the friendly against Canada and has now scored eight goals in two matches at the ongoing WAFU Women’s Cup in Abidjan.
27 SUPER FALCONS FOR WORLD CUP FINAL CAMP
Goalkeepers: Tochukwu Oluehi (Rivers Angels); Alaba Jonathan (Bayelsa Queens); Chiamaka Nnadozie (Rivers Angels); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Confluence Queens)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Vaxjo DFF, Sweden); Ngozi Ebere (Arna Bjornar, Norway); Onome Ebi (Henan Huisanhang, China); Josephine Chukwunonye (Kungsbacka DFF, Sweden); Faith Michael (Pitea IF, Sweden); Chidinma Okeke (FC Robo)
Midfielders: Cecilia Nku (Ferencvaros Torna, Hungary); Rita Chikwelu (Krstianstand DFF, Sweden); Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene (Eskiltuna United, Sweden); Evelyn Nwabuoku (Rivers Angels); Ogonna Chukwudi (Djurgardens IF, Sweden); Halimatu Ayinde (Eskiltuna United, Sweden); Amarachi Okoronkwo (Nasarawa Amazons)
Forwards: Desire Oparanozie (En Avant Guingamp, France); Anam Imo (Malmo FC Rosengard, Sweden); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona, Spain); Chinaza Uchendu (SC Braga, Portugal); Uchenna Kanu (Southeastern University, USA); Rasheedat Ajibade (Alvadsnes IL, Norway); Francisca Ordega (Shanghai W. FC); Ini-Abasi Umotong (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Alice Ogebe (Rivers Angels), Chiwendu Ihezuo (Henan Huishang; China)
Nigeria’s final list of 23 players for the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals will emerge from this group of 27, with four players to be cut towards the end of the two-week camping in Austria.
According to the NFF’s Head of Women Football, Ruth David the African champions will depart from Abuja for Austria on Monday, 20th May for the Avita Resort in Bad Tatzmannsdorf – the same facility where the Super Eagles had their final camping programme just before the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The Super Falcons will then depart from Austria on the 4th of June for Reims, where they open their World Cup campaign against Norway on the 8th of June.
