Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has unveiled a 23-player squad for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with star striker Asisat Oshoala and defender Ashleigh Plumptre leading the list.
Also included are team captain Rasheedat Ajibade and 11 debutants set to feature for the first time in Africa’s premier women’s football tournament, which takes place in Morocco from July 5 to 26.
Three home-based players—Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons), Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons), and Miracle Usani (Edo Queens)—made the cut, highlighting the coach’s confidence in local league talents.
Nigeria, nine-time continental champions, will open their Group B campaign against Tunisia on July 6, then face Botswana on July 10 and Algeria on July 13.
The top four teams from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Full Squad List:
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)
- Ashleigh 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:
- Asisat Oshoala (Club not listed)
- 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)
