Ahead of their highly anticipated showdown with South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in a Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifier, at least six Nigeria Super Falcons players have reported for international duty in Abuja.
Confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation, Atletico Madrid’s Rasheedat Ajibade, Shualat Alsharqia netminder Tochukwu Oluehi, and Jumoke Alani, who replaced the injured Ashleigh Plumptre, have arrived.
Additionally, Japanese-based defender Chidinma Okeke and NWFL Premiership stars Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens) and Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens) have joined the squad in the capital city and were seen having dinner together on Monday evening.
Super Falcons manager Randy Waldrum has chosen to keep his team’s preparations low-key and without distractions. Therefore, the team’s training session on Tuesday, April 2, will be conducted behind closed doors.
Meanwhile, visitors Banyana Banyana have already settled in Abuja and held their first training session on Nigerian soil on Monday afternoon. South Africa coach Desiree Ellis will lead at least 20 players in Tuesday’s training, including foreign-based players Jermaine Seoposenwe, Refiloe Jane, and Noko Matlou, who joined the squad upon their arrival.
The Super Falcons, Africa’s most successful team, are vying to qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time since 2008, making the upcoming qualifier against Banyana Banyana a crucial fixture.
