France 2019: Ebi, Oparanozie, Oshoala, 20 Others In Nigeria’s Final Squad

ANI EMMANUEL CHIDI

The Falcons at training in Austria on Friday

Power forward Desire Oparanozie and defender Onome Ebi top the list of 23 players who will dorn Nigeria’s colours at the 8^th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in France, as Head Coach Thomas Dennerby released Nigeria’s final squad in Austria on Friday.

Usual suspects Tochukwu Oluehi, Osinachi Ohale, Ngozi Ebere, Rita Chikwelu, Ngozi Okobi, Halimatu Ayinde, Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade and Francisca Ordega are all on the roster. But defender Josephine Chukwunonye and England –based forward Ini-Abasi Umotong were axed.

Defender Chidinma Okeke made the cut, as did midfielders Amarachi Okoronkwo and Evelyn Nwabuoku and home –based forward Alice Ogebe.

The Super Falcons will depart Austria – where they are on a two-week residential camping – Tuesday, 4^th June for France, where they play Norway, Korea Republic and host nation France (in that order) in the group phase.

23 SUPER FALCONS FOR 8^TH FIFA WORLD CUP FINALS

Goalkeepers: Tochukwu Oluehi (Rivers Angels); Alaba Jonathan (Bayelsa Queens); Chiamaka Nnadozie (Rivers Angels)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Vaxjo DFF, Sweden); Ngozi Ebere (Arna Bjornar, Norway); Onome Ebi (Henan Huisanhang, China); Faith Michael (Pitea IF, Sweden); Chidinma Okeke (FC Robo)

Midfielders: 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); Alice Ogebe (Rivers Angels); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Henana Huisanhang, China)