2024 Paris Olympics: Falcons depart for Spain camp; Ordega, Onome excluded from squad
The Super Falcons according to the Nigeria Football Federation will leave the country for a two-week camp in Seville, Spain ahead of their participation at the women’s football event of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The Falcons secured their spot in the 2024 Olympics after a 16-year absence and are grouped alongside Spain, Brazil, and Japan at the tournament. The Games will be held from July 26 to August 11.
Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum on Wednesday named 18 players and four others as alternates for the women’s football event with notable omissions and two surprise inclusions.
Some of the notable omitted players are Saudi-based defender Ashleigh Plumptre, who hasn’t recovered on time from a surgery, as well as defender Glory Ogbonna, who was part of the 2023 World Cup squad in Australia and New Zealand.
Others are CSKA Moscow Women forward Francisca Ordega and Israel-based defender Onome Ebi have been left out of the Super Falcons 18-player list for the women’s football event of the Paris 2024 Olympics as Nigerians look forward to the announcement of Randy Waldrum’s squad for the Games.
Two top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation had tried to impose Ordega on a reluctant coach Randy Waldrum, while another report stated that Onome tried forcing her way into the team.
In an Instagram reel, Bnot Netanya of Israel defender Onome also bemoaned the lack of opportunity to end her career on a high at the Games.
Onome’s last Falcons appearance was at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where she played six minutes in Nigeira’s goalless draw against Republic of Ireland.
She is the first and only African footballer male or female to play in six World Cups and featured at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, which incidentally was the last time the Falcons featured in the competition.
Waldrum’s list also sparked surprises, with the inclusion of former FC Robo defender, Chidinma Okeke, and Russia-based Chinonyerem Macleans, while Ifeoma Onumonu only managed a place among the alternate players.
However, the American coach also dropped veterans Onome Ebi and Francisca Orgeda, who were reportedly trying to force their way into the team.
Atletico Madrid forward Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and Assist Oshoala lead the 18-player roster.
Also on the list are defenders Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin, Michelle Alozie, Nicole Payne and Okeke.
The midfielders invited by Waldrum are Deborah Abiodun, Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe, Jennifer Ecehegini and Toni Payne.
Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Uchenna Kanu and Macleans are part of the forward line.
Nine-time African champions Nigeria will tackle Brazil, Spain and Japan, in that order, at this year’s tournament.
Their first game, against Brazil, comes up at the Stade Bordeaux on July 25, before confrontations with Spain (July 28) and Japan (July 31).
