Sports

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

Published

2 years ago

March 25, 2024

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.

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

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.

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.

The invited players are listed below:

Goalkeepers:

Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC)

Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia)

Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens)

Defenders:

Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico)

Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia)

Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens)

Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA)

Nicole Payne (Portland Thorns FC, USA)

Chidinma Okeke (Mynavi Sendai Ladies, Japan)

Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA)

Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosengard, Sweden)

Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)

Jennifer Echegini (Juventus Ladies, Italy)

Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain)

Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain)

Forwards:

Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)

Esther Okoronkwo (Changchun FC, China)

Ifeoma Onumonu (SLC Utah, USA)

Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA)

Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA)

Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)

Chiwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico)

Sports

CRASH: Anthony Joshua Opens Up On Friends’ Death

Published

4 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Former world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has said the death of his two friends posed a tough time for him.

Recall that a car conveying the boxer earlier this month, rammed into a stationary truck along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The accident claimed that lives of his personal trainer, Kevin Latif Ayodele, and his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami.

In a post on his verified Facebook page on Thursday, the former heavyweight champion said it was tough for him.

Joshua acknowledged that the incident was “even tougher” for the parents of the deceased.

He wrote, “Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers. I didn’t even realise how special they are.

“I’ll just be walking with them and cracking jokes with them, not even knowing God kept me in the presence of great men.

“100% it’s tough for me, but I know it’s even tougher for their parents. I have a strong mind, and I believe God knows their hearts. May God have mercy on my brothers.”

Sports

NPFL: Kano Pillars Sack Two Players

Published

4 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Kano Pillars have announced the departure of the duo of Umar Sani Yakasai Samuel Tiza.

Yakasai and Tiza’s contracts were terminated by the Kano-based club.

The Sai Masu Gida confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday.

“Kano Pillars FC wishes to announce that, following a mutual understanding, the club have amicably parted ways with striker Samuel Tiza and midfielder Umar Sani Yakasai,” Kano Pillars wrote in a statement confirming the players departure.

“Both players will now continue their careers elsewhere ahead of the second stanza of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League season.”

Kano Pillars is expected to make up for their departure with the signing of new players.

Sports

AFCON: It’s Not Possible – NSC On Super Eagles Players Requesting Cash Payment

Published

4 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Shehu Dikko, has insisted that it is not possible to pay the Super Eagles of Nigeria their match bonus in cash.

Dikko stated this while clarifying the situation about Super Eagles match bonuses following reports of players threatening to boycott training and refusing to travel to Marrakech for Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, quarter-final clash against Algeria on Saturday.

He spoke on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

“Clearly, the players requested whether they could get some of these in cash, and they were told it’s not possible,” Dikko said.

“These bonuses are not paid in cash; they have to be paid through the bank, which is the normal procedure.

“The only ones they agreed to pay in cash are the daily allowances.”

The Super Eagles progressed to the last-8 after humiliating Mozambique 4-0 in the AFCON Round of 16.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Finance, Doris Nkiruka-Anite, had earlier disclosed that the Super Eagles players will start receiving their bonus money alerts today or tomorrow before the Algeria clash.