International Friendlies: Super Falcons Coach Excited As Players Train In Abuja

AFOLABI SAHEED OLAWALE

Head Coach Justine Madugu on Tuesday expressed his delight that all 25 invited players are already in camp as the team prepared for its first training session at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, ahead of the two international friendly matches against the senior women national team of Algeria.

“I am very happy that all the invited players are here. We will be able to have four days of full training sessions and be in great shape for the first game. We thank the Nigeria Football Federation for arranging these two games for the Super Falcons.”

However, the heavy downpour in Lagos on Tuesday made the training session impossible, with the team having to return to Eko Hotel & Towers for gym sessions.

The nine-time African champions will take on the Algerian girls at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Saturday, 26^th October, and again at the same venue on Tuesday, 29^th October. Both matches will kick off at 4pm.

A 35-woman Algerian delegation is scheduled to arrive in Nigeria on Thursday morning, aboarda Qatar Airways flight, with the match officials from Benin Republic also scheduled to arrive in Lagos same day.

The Beninoise quartet of Aurore Christine Ligan, Nafissatou Yekini Shitou, Sonia Emilie Louis and Laurande Offin will take charge of the two matches, with Ligan serving as referee for the first match with Offin as fourth official, while Offin will be at the centre for the second match with Ligan in the role of fourth official.

The Nigeria Football Federation will appoint a match commissioner for each of the games.

SUPER FALCONS TO PLAY ALGERIA

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Monle Oyono (Edo Queens); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)

Defenders: Chidinma Okeke (Club America, Mexico); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive FC, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Edo Queens); Florence Alexander (Bayelsa Queens); Blessing Ilivieda (Edo Queens); Sikiratu Isa (Nasarawa Amazons); Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens); Tessy Ojiyovwi (Nasarawa Amazons); Chidinma Ogbuchi (FC Robo Queens)

Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Esther Onyenezide (Hapoel Katamon, Israel); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Chioma Olise (Edo Queens); Josephine Matthias (Nasarawa Amazons); Amarachi Odoma (Edo Queens)

Forwards: Gift Monday (UDG Tenerife, Spain); Goodness Osigwe (Edo Queens); Janet Akekoromowei (Nasarawa Amazons); Delight Nwosu (Bayelsa Queens); Folashade Ijamilusi (Edo Queens); Mercy Omokwo (Bayelsa Queens); Olamide Bolaji (Remo Stars Ladies)