Coach Edwin Okon has released his list of 23 players for the sevnenth FIFA Women’s World Cup finals holding in Canada from June 6 to July 5, including BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, team captain, Evelyn Nwabuoku, goalkeeper, Precious Dede, as well as striker, Perpetua Nkwocha.
Top scorer at the 2014 African Women Championship, Desire Oparanozie, defenders, Onome Ebi, Josephine Chukwunonye and Ngozi Ebere, midfielder, Halimatu Ayinde, and England-based Ini-Abasi Umotong are also included, as well as U.S.-based forward, Francisca Ordega.
There was no place for goalkeeper, Sandra Chiichi, and 2012 FIFA U-17 World Cup top scorer, Chinwendu Ihezuo.
Nigeria plays Sweden, Australia and U.S.A. in Group D at the tournament, with its first match against Sweden in Winnipeg on Monday, June 8.
The full list
Goalkeepers: Precious Dede (Ibom Queens), Christy Ohiaeriaku (Rivers Angels), and Ibubeleye Whyte (Rivers Angels).
Defenders: Blessing Edoho (Pelican Stars), Osinachi Ohale (Rivers Angels), Onome Ebi (FC Minsk, Belarus), Josephine Chukwunonye (Rivers Angels), Ugo Njoku (Rivers Angels), Ngozi Ebere (Rivers Angels), and Sarah Nnodim (Nasarawa Amazons).
Midfielders: Evelyn Nwabuoku (BIIK Kazygurt, Kazakhstan), Halimatu Ayinde (Delta Queens), Martina Ohadugha (Rivers Angels), and Cecilia Nku (Rivers Angels).
Forwards: Perpetua Nkwocha (Clemensnas IF, Sweden), Esther Sunday (FC Minsk, Belarus), Asisat Oshoala (Liverpool Ladies, England), Desire Oparanozie (En Avant Guingamp, France), Ngozi Okobi (Delta Queens), Francisca Ordega (Washington Spirit, U.S.A.), Loveth Ayila (Rivers Angels), Courtney Dike (Oklahoma State University, U.S.A.), and Ini-Abasi Umotong (Portsmouth Ladies, England).