Falconets’ new head coach, Moses Aduku, has invited 35 players to camp in preparation for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Rwanda next month.
 
According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Rwandans will host the first leg of the second-round games in Kigali on September 21, with the return leg scheduled for the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, on September 27.
 
In the list released by the NFF yesterday are four goalkeepers, 11 defenders, nine midfielders and 11 strikers.
 
They are expected to arrive in their Abuja camp on Sunday, as training sessions will commence on August 11.
 
Some of the players listed for the camp were part of the team that reached the Round of 16 at the 2024 FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in Colombia last year, namely defender and captain Oluchi Ohaegbulem, midfielder Joy Igbokwe, and forwards Mary Lucky Mkpa and Goodness Osigwe.
 
At that championship, the Falconets defeated Korea Republic 1-0 in their opening game, lost 1-3 to Germany and defeated Venezuela 4-0, before they were eliminated in the Round of 16 after a narrow 1-2 loss to Japan.
 
Next year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals will be staged in Poland. 
 
The goalkeepers in Aduku’s team are Godstime Elisha (Ibom Angels), Fatima Okolo (Rivers Angels), Sylvia Echefu (Bayelsa Queens), and Stella Emperor (Adamawa Queens).
 
To vie for selection in the defence are Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Nasarawa Amazons); Tumininu Adeshina (Naija Ratels);  Folashade Adegbemile (Edo Queens); Sandra Nwibe (Rivers Angels); Marylen Edem (Nasarawa Amazons); Vivian Ekezie (Abia Angels); Esther Adesoji (Nasarawa Amazons); Prisca Nwachukwu (Imo Strikers); Motunrayo Yusuf (FC Robo Queens); Ramotallahi Kareem (Rivers Angels); and Chiamaka Ezekuwugo (Bayelsa Queens).
 
Taiwo Afolabi of Rivers Angels leads the midfielders in the list, which also has Kafaya Mafisera (Edo Queens); Joy Igbokwe (Nasarawa Amazons); Yetunde Omotosho (Remo Stars Ladies); Esther Inyang (Edo Queens); Mary Aderemi (Bayelsa Queens); Favour Nkwocha (FC Robo Queens); Faridat Abdulwahab (Nasarawa Amazons); and Adanna Nwachukwu (Naija Ratels).
 
Attackers listed include Mary Mamudu (Edo Queens); Mary Nkpa (Bayelsa Queens); Goodness Osigwe (Edo Queens); Delight Isaac (Bayelsa Queens); Esther Moses (Edo Queens); Grace Saliu (Naija Ratels); Dorothy Eshiet (Abia Angels) among others.