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FULL LIST: Oshoala, Ajibade Make Super Falcons Squad For Paris

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Coach Randy Waldrum has revealed the list of players invited to represent the Nigerian women’s national team, the Super Falcons, in the upcoming Paris Olympics final qualifying fixture against South Africa.

Among the 22 players called up are captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, Soccernet.ng reports.

Saudi Arabia-based defender, Ashley Plumptre, veteran Osinachi Ohale, and midfielder Deborah Abiodun also made the list.

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Notable returns include 2019 World Cup standout Chidinma Okeke and forward Chiwendu Ihezuo. U20 defender, Shukurat Oladipo, receives her maiden call-up.

READ ALSO: OPINION: Murder And Vengeance In Okuama

The Super Falcons are set to take on South Africa in a two-match series, with the initial encounter slated for April 5 at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

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The return leg is slated for April 9 at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

The winner of the tie will clinch one of Africa’s two tickets to the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.

Regulars like wing-back Michelle Alozie, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Halimatu Ayinde, and forward Gift Monday in the squad were also retained.

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The invited players are listed below:

Goalkeepers:

Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC)

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Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia)

Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens)

READ ALSO: Three Feared Killed In Delta Auto Crash

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Defenders:

Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico)

Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia)

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Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens)

Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA)

Nicole Payne (Portland Thorns FC, USA)

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Chidinma Okeke (Mynavi Sendai Ladies, Japan)

Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA)

Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosengard, Sweden)

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Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)

Jennifer Echegini (Juventus Ladies, Italy)

Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain)

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Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain)

Forwards:

Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)

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Esther Okoronkwo (Changchun FC, China)

Ifeoma Onumonu (SLC Utah, USA)

Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA)

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Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA)

Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)

Chiwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico)

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Ballon d’Or 2025: Full List Of Winners

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In a night of celebration and surprises at the Théâtre du Châtelet, the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony crowned new champions in men’s and women’s football. PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé emerged as the men’s winner, capping off a stellar season that saw him lead his club to Champions League triumph.

Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí made history by securing the women’s award for the third consecutive year. Here’s the complete rundown of all the major awards from football’s most prestigious gala.

Men’s Ballon d’Or
• Winner: Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)

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The 28-year-old French star beat out fierce competition from Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. Dembélé’s pivotal role in PSG’s European success, including key goals and assists, propelled him to the top. This marks his first Ballon d’Or and continues a trend where winners since 2013 have been 28 or older.

READ ALSO:Ballon d’Or: 2025 Women’s Club Of The Year Emerge

Top 5 Rankings:
1 Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)

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2 Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

3 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Women’s Ballon d’Or
• Winner: Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona)
Bonmatí became the first player to win three in a row, despite Barcelona’s loss in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final to Arsenal and Spain’s defeat to England in the Euro 2025 final. Her standout performances as the best player in both the Euros and Champions League sealed the deal, edging out Arsenal’s Alessia Russo and Barcelona’s Mariona Caldentey.

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Other Major Awards
Kopa Trophy (Best Young Player, Under 21): Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
The 18-year-old wunderkind took home this award without contest, with speculation swirling about his potential for the senior Ballon d’Or in future years. Yamal’s speech humbly acknowledged the bigger prize ahead.

READ ALSO:Ballon d’Or: PSG Win Best Team Of The Year

Yashin Trophy (Donnaruma): Now in Manchester City, however the Italian shotstopper was pivotal during PSG’s quest for its first European glory.

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• Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain
Honoring their dominant 2024-25 campaign, including Champions League victory. The Paris crowd erupted as DJ Snake presented the award amid chants.

• Women’s Club of the Year: Arsenal
Recognized for their undefeated run in the Champions League and overall excellence.

• Coach of the Year: Luis Enrique

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Highlights and reactions
The evening was a mix of glamour and minor gaffes—think awkward dance breaks and a quirky DJ presentation—but the focus remained on the stars. Dembélé’s win has sparked debates on X and beyond, with fans crediting his team’s support while others lament Salah’s perennial near-miss. “What does Mo Salah have to do?” one BBC commenter quipped.

Bonmatí’s third win cements her as a legend at just 27, though some voices argued for Russo’s dual Euros and Champions League heroics. Real Madrid’s boycott drama from 2024 was absent this year, with their stars like Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior attending gracefully despite missing the podium.

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Ballon d’Or: 2025 Women’s Club Of The Year Emerge

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Arsenal Women have been named the 2025 Women’s Club of the Year at the Ballon d’Or ceremony held in Paris on Monday night.

The award comes after a historic season for the Gunners, who lifted the UEFA Women’s Champions League, defeating Barcelona 1-0 in the final in Lisbon. Stina Blackstenius scored the decisive goal to hand Arsenal their second European crown.

Beyond their European success, the North London side also impressed domestically, finishin second in the Women’s Super League and reaching the semi-finals of the League Cup..

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READ ALSO:JUST IN: PSG Player Wins 2025 Ballon d’Or

The Women’s Club of the Year award recognises not only on-field success but also the club’s wider contribution to the growth of the women’s game.

Arsenal’s strong development structure, international recognition, and fan engagement were also factors behind their recognition.

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Ballon d’Or: PSG Win Best Team Of The Year

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Paris Saint-Germain have been crowned the Best Team of 2025 at the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony in Paris on Monday night.

The French champions, who enjoyed a remarkable season both domestically and in Europe, were recognised for their consistency and dominance across competitions.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: PSG Player Wins 2025 Ballon d’Or

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The French giants enjoyed an extraordinary 2024-25 season, capturing four major trophies: the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, the UEFA Champions League, and the Trophée des Champions.

They also reached the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, underlining their quality and ability to compete with the very best across continents.

The Best Team award at the Ballon d’Or gala highlights the Parisians’ evolution from domestic dominance to genuine European and global contenders.

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