Paris 2024: Onyenezide to replace injured Ayinde - NFF

Posted : 24 October 2023

Midfielder Esther Onyenezide, who left a lasting impression at last year's FIFA U20 Women's World Cup finals in Costa Rica, where Nigeria advanced to the quarter-finals, has been called up to replace 2023 FIFA World Cup standout Halimatu Ayinde in Nigeria's squad for the 2024 Women's Olympic Football Tournament fixture against Ethiopia's senior women's national team.

The delegation, including home-based players, technical and backroom staff from Nigeria, arrived in Addis Ababa on Sunday in preparation for the opening leg encounter at the Abebe Bekila Stadium on Wednesday. Additionally, foreign-based players have started to arrive in anticipation of the significant match.

The Super Falcons will play the second leg of the second-round fixture at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

However, midfielder Regina Otu, who missed the FIFA Women's World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand this summer, and defender Osinachi Ohale, who represents Pachuca FC in Mexico, have been ruled out for the fixture. Another World Cup star, Christy Ucheibe of Portuguese club SL Benfica, will also be unavailable for the encounter.

The aggregate winner of this matchup will face the winner between Cameroon and Uganda. The Indomitable Lionesses received a bye, while Uganda overcame Rwanda 4-3 on aggregate.

Ethiopia's senior women's team, affectionately known as Lucy, defeated Chad's senior women's national team 10-0 in the first round of the series, played in July. The Ethiopians claimed a resounding 6-0 victory in Addis Ababa on July 13th before overwhelming their hosts 4-0 in N'Djamena five days later.

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Lamia Atman from Algeria as the referee for Wednesday's encounter. Her compatriots Asma Feriel Ouahab, Sara Kemmad, and Ghada Mehat will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2, and fourth official, respectively.

Angelique Tuyishime from Rwanda will be the referee assessor, and Tabitha Wambui Njoroge from Kenya will take on the role of match commissioner.

For the return leg in Abuja on Tuesday, Edoh Kindedji from Togo will be the referee, with her compatriots Abra Sitsofe Agbedanou and Kossiwa Kayigan Awoutey as assistant referees 1 and 2, respectively. Yacine Samassa from Mauritania will serve as the fourth official.

Daloba Oulare from Guinea will be the referee assessor, and Christine Ziga from Ghana will act as the match commissioner.

The Super Falcons Squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Monle Oyono (Bayelsa Queens)

Defenders: Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Nicole Payne (Paris Saint Germain, France); Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France)

Midfielders: Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain)

Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona Feminine, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Opeyemi Ajakaye (FC Robo Queens)

Paris 2024: Onyenezide to replace injured Ayinde - NFF

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