Four-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year award winner, Perpetua Nkwocha has been called to the Nigerian squad ahead of the 2014 African Women’s Championships (AWC). Nkwocha, who is currently on the books of Swedish Damallsvenskan club, Sunnanå SK was called up alongside 29 others by Super Falcons coach, Edwin Okon. The 38-year-old was left out of Nigeria’s squad as the six-time AWC winners dispatched Rwanda over two legs in the final round of qualifying. She now makes a return as Nigeria look to return to the pinnacle of African women’s football in Namibia, next month.
Okon has invited five goalkeepers, nine defenders, 11 midfielders and five strikers for the final phase of preparations for the 2014 AWC. The usual suspects, Precious Dede, Onome Ebi, Stella Mbachu, Gloria Iroka, Desire Oparanozie and captain, Evelyn Nwabuoku all received call ups. As widely expected, precocious and fearsome striker, Asisat Oshoala who was named best player at the 2014 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada was also called up. Super Falcons have been drawn in Group A of the AWC alongside hosts, Namibia, Zambia and the Ivory Coast. The 2014 AWC runs from October 11 to 25.
Those invited are: Goalkeepers: Ibubeleye Whyte (Rivers Angels), Precious Dede (Ibom Queens), Charity John (Rivers Angels), Juliet Obi (State House FC), Ohieriaku Christy (Oshogbo Queens)
Defenders: Blessing Edoho (Pelican Stars),Ebere Ngozi (Rivers Angels), Mariam Ibrahim (Nasarawa Amazons), Josephine Chukwunonye (Rivers Angels), Onome Ebi (FK Minsk,Belarus), Osinachi Ohale (Houston Dash,USA), Ugochi Njoku (Rivers Angels), Gloria Ofoegbu (Rivers Angels), Sarah Nnodim (Delta Queens)
Midfielders: Ngozi Okobi (Delta Queens), Onyinyechi Ohadugha (Rivers Angels), Chiwendu Ihezue (Pelican Stars), Stella Mbachu (Rivers Angels),Asisat Oshoala (Rivers Angels), Cecilia Nku (Rivers Angels), Evelyn Nwabuoku (Rivers Angels), Halimat Ayinde (Delta Queens), Loveth Ayila (Rivers Angels), Gloria Iroka (Rivers Angels)
Attackers: Desire Oparanozie (En Avent De Guingamp, France), Rosemary Okezie (Nasarawa Amazon), Francisca Ordega (Pitea IFF, Sweden), Esther Sunday (FK Minsk, Belarus), Uchechi Sunday (Rivers Angels), Perpetua Nkwocha (Sunana SK, Sweden)
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