BY ANDREW EKEJIUBA
Coach Christopher Danjuma has invited 31 players to the camp of Nigeria’s U20 girls, Falconets, for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup third round fixture against Congo, with the first leg taking place in Brazzaville on December 5.
Nigeria will host the return leg at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos on Thursday, December 16.
The first leg promises to be filled with lots of fireworks from both sides as soccer pundits have code named it “Battle of Congo’.
On Falconets list are four goalkeepers, nine defenders, 10 midfielders and eight forwards.
The Falconets blitzed past their counterparts from Central African Republic 11-0 on aggregate in the second round, while the Congolese saw off Egypt’s U20 girls 3-1 on aggregate. The girls from Central African Republic progressed to the second round following the withdrawal of Equatorial Guinea.
All 31 players were told to report at the Serob Hotel in Abuja on Sunday, November 7, with their training kits, international e-passports and certificates of birth.
However, four players of Rivers Angels FC of Port Harcourt that are taking part in the maiden edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League holding in Egypt from November 5th – 19th have been excused to report in camp after their engagement in North Africa. Two overseas –based players are also expected in camp towards the end of the month.
The list of invited players include: Goalkeepers: Christiana Uzoma (Nasarawa Amazons); Nelly Eke (Sunshine Queens); Iyems Etim (Abia Angels); Monle Omini (Bayelsa Queens).
Defenders: Jumoke Anani (Edo Queens); Paulina Ali (Naija Ratels); Motunrayo Ezekiel (Lakeside Ratels); Omowunmi Oshobukola (Edo Queens); Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Confluence Queens); Oluwabunmi Oladeji (Naija Ratels); Chidinma Ogbuchi (Robo Queens); Blessing Sunday (Edo Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Rivers Angels).
Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels); Basirat Amoo (Nasarawa Amazons); Esther Onyenezide (Robo Queens); Rafiat Imuran (Rivers Angels); Yina Adoo (Nasarawa Queens); Celine Attah (Bayelsa Queens); Blessing Okpe (Rivers Angels); Chinyere Kalu (Bayelsa Queens); Mary Aderemi (Osun Babes); Amarachi Odoma (Nasarawa Amazons).
Forwards: Juliet Adebowale (Briton Hovers, England); Joy Jerry (Bayelsa Queens); Mercy Idoko (Nasarawa Amazons); Adaobi Udoka (Edo Queens); Flourish Sebastine (Bayelsa Queens); Joy Omewa (B94 FC, Denmark); Taiwo Lawal (Robo Queens) and Precious Vincent (Bayelsa Queens).
