14 June 2011
The Nigeria Football Federation has submitted to world governing body, FIFA, a list of 21 players who will fly the country’s flag at the 6th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals taking place in Germany this summer.
Goalkeeper Precious Dede, a 31-year veteran from the 2003 and 2007 FIFA World Cup final tournaments, tops the list that includes at least seven players who have seen FIFA World Cup action.
Coach Eucharia Uche picked three goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders and six strikers in a squad with mixture of experience and youth.
Dede, defenders Faith Ikidi, Onome Ebi and Ulunma Jerome, midfielders Ogonna Chukwudi and Perpetua Nkwocha and forward Stella Mbachu were at the last tournament in China in 2008.
The Falcons, who have been training in Saalfelden, Austria since May 26, on Tuesday had a training match with an U-17 boys in Austria. The team will play the National Women’s team of Slovakia at the Eugendorf Stadium on Thursday.
Since setting up camp in Saalfelden, the Falcons have walloped an Austrian first division team, Wacker Innsbruck 7-0, piped the Czech Republic national women’s team 1-0 and drew 1-1 with the national women’s team of Austria in friendlies.
THE FINAL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Precious Dede, Tochukwu Oluehi, Alaba Jonathan
Defenders:Helen Ukaonu, Faith Ikidi, Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale, Ulunma Jerome, Josephine Chukwunonye
Midfielders:Rebecca Kalu, Glory Iroka, Rita Chikwelu, Ebere Orji, Ogonna Chukwudi, Perpetua Nkwocha
Strikers:Stella Mbachu, Francisca Ordega, Desire Oparanozie, Sarah Michael, Uchechi Sunday, Amenze
AllAfrica – All the Time
More:
Nigeria: Falcons List Dede, 20 Others for Women’s World Cup