Super Falcons’ Captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, Africa’s number one goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie and reserve goalkeeper, Tochukwu Oluehi were among early arrivals in the women national team’s Spain camp ahead of preparations for the forthcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games. A total of 14 players trained yesterday evening in the team’s camp in the city of Jerez de la Frontera outside Seville, Spain.
According to thenff.com, Team Administrator, Mary Oboduku, said that two players joined the team’s Hotel Barceló Montecastillo Golf and Resort camp yesterday, to make the number in camp 14.
“We started training on Sunday, and the camp is calm. The players are in very high spirits as they look forward to the tournament in France,” Oboduku said.
She listed the other players in the camp as defenders Chidinma Okeke and Nicole Payne, midfielders Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun and Jennifer Echegini, and forward Esther Okoronkwo, as well as alternate players, goalkeeper Morufa Ademola and forward Gift Monday.
Defenders Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie were being expected at the team’s hotel yesterday afternoon. The nine-time African champions, who last played at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in China in 2008, will take on reigning Olympic champions, Canada in a training match in Sevilla on July 17.
Meanwhile, Saudi-based defender, Ashleigh Plumptre, has expressed her disappointment at missing the Olympics’ squad due to an injury.
The defender was left out of Randy Waldrum’s squad due to fitness concerns as she is just recovering from an injury she copped while playing for her club, Al Ittihad, in March.She wrote in her X (formerly twitter) handle: “Timings haven’t aligned to be in contention for the Olympic roster – a dream I’ve held since I can remember.
“Since having my surgery, I’ve worked in every area of my life to be in the best position to recover, but one thing I’ve learnt is how to really listen to my body.” She promised to follow Super Eagles’ journey in France, expressing confidence that the team would do Nigerians proud.
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