• Ex-stars lament Oparanozie, Ihezuo absence
Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum listed 13 debutants in his 25-man squad for his team’s title defence at this year’s WAFCON in Morocco, Saturday PUNCH reports.
They are Ashleigh Plumptre, Michelle Alozie, Regina Otu, Vivian Ikechukwu, Gift Monday, Ifeoma Onumonu, sisters Nicole, Toni Payne, Akudo Ogbonna, Christy Ucheibe, Chinonyerem Macleans, Ifeoma Onumonu and Peace Efih.
The squad also has Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala as well as several experienced campaigners like skipper Onome Ebi, Tochukwu Oluehi, Francisca Ordega and Osinachi Ohale.
The team is aiming for a record-extending 10th WAFCON title and will depart for Morocco Monday.
Meanwhile, former Falcons players have lamented the absence of China-based strikers Desire Oparanoize and Chinwendu Ihezuo from next month’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Both players were part of the nine forwards called up by Randy Waldrum for the 2022 WAFCON in Morocco.
The duo was left out of the squad preparing for their title defence due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed at their base in China, our correspondent learnt.
Oparanozie, who was set for her fifth WAFCON appearance, was replaced by Anam Imo, while Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene was drafted in for Chinwendu Ihezuo, who was billed to make her second appearance at the tournament.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, Efionwan Ekpo, who featured at the 2006 WAFCON and two Women’s World Cups in 2003 and 2007, said the absence of the duo would limit the options at the disposal of coach Randy Waldrum.
“It is not always good to lose key players with experience like Desire, ahead of tournaments like WAFCON,” Ekpo told The PUNCH.
“But I believe their replacements will do a good job in their absence. The coach still has enough quality in the squad to defend the title and I believe with good preparations and a bit of luck, we should lift the title again, but we must not underrate any team.”
Ex-Falcons captain Kikelomo Ajayi added that players who replaced the duo have a huge gap to fill.
“They are about some of the best strikers we have and I think they will be missed; those coming in must raise their game to fill their spaces.”
The 12th WAFCON will be held from July 2 to 23 in Morocco with 12 teams competing for the title for the first time ever.
Nine-time WAFCON champions Falcons take on South Africa, Botswana and Burundi in the group stages of the competition.
The Cup-holders go up against the Banyana Banyana in their first match at the Prince Heritier Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat on July 4 before their fixtures against Botswana on July 7 and Burundi on July 10 at the same venue.
