The Super Falcons, who are nine-time African champions, are ramping up their preparations for their return to the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. With the arrival of forwards Uchenna Kanu and Chinwendu Ihezuo on Thursday afternoon, the team now has twenty players in camp. Only defender Oluwatosin Demehin and forward Chinonyerem Macleans are still anticipated.
Both players are scheduled to arrive at the team’s Hotel Barceló Montecastillo Golf and Resort on Friday afternoon.
A full camp by Friday means Coach Randy Waldrum and his assistants will have five whole days to work with the entire playing body, as well as the alternates, ahead of Wednesday’s training match with reigning Olympic champions Canada.
Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade was among the first arrivals, alongside goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Tochukwu Oluehi, defenders Chidinma Okeke and Nicole Payne, midfielders Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun and Jennifer Echegini, and forward Esther Okoronkwo. Two alternates – goalkeeper Morufa Ademola and forward Gift Monday were also early arrivals.
The Super Falcons will fly into France on Thursday, 18th July – exactly a week to their tournament opening match against illustrious opponents Brazil at the Stade Bordeaux. Their two other games in the group phase, against Spain and Japan in that order, will take place at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.
