Super Falcons star forward Asisat Oshoala and veteran defender Ashley Plumptre lead the roster for Nigeria’s campaign in the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON), as announced by head coach Justin Madugu on Friday.
The squad features captain Rasheedat Ajibade and 11 players making their tournament debuts. Additionally, three players from Nigeria’s domestic league earned spots in the team, reflecting the coach’s confidence in homegrown talent.
Nigeria, placed in Group B, will kick off their campaign against Tunisia on Sunday, July 6. Subsequent matches include clashes with Botswana on July 10 and Algeria on July 13. The tournament, hosted in Morocco from July 5 to 26, will see the top four teams secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Nigeria Squad for 2024 WAFCON (Morocco)
Goalkeepers:
- Chiamaka Nnadozie (Free Agent, formerly Paris FC, France)
- Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia)
- Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)
Defenders:
- Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca, Mexico)
- Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy)
- Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA)
- Ashley Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia)
- Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons)
- Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray, Turkey)
- Miracle Usani (Edo Queens)
Midfielders:
- Rasheedat Ajibade (Free Agent, formerly Atletico Madrid, Spain)
- Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosenborg, Sweden)
- Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA)
- Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
- Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England)
- Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)
Forwards:
- Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia)
- Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachuca, Mexico)
- Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France)
- Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada)
- Omorinsola Babajide (Costa Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)
- Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China)
- Chioma Okafor (University of Connecticut, USA)