The Nigeria Football Federation has invited 30 players to the camp of the U-20 Women National Team, also known as Falconets, in preparation for the African qualifying series for this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup finals.
The Falconets tumbled the bookmakers’ predictions by reaching the Final of the last FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals, which took place in Germany in the summer of 2010.
They eventually lost by two goals to hosts and favourites Germany in that final.
Since the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup was launched in Canada in 2002, Nigeria has qualified to represent Africa in every edition, making it to the quarter finals in Thailand in 2004, Russia in 2006 and Chile in 2008.
Chief Coach of the Women Professional League club, Rivers Angels, Edwin Okon, has been appointed the Head Coach of the Class of 2012, who will be aiming to reach the finals to be staged in Uzbekistan in August/September this year.
He will be assisted by former Super Falcons’ Captain, Florence Omagbemi, and Chris Nwaehi, with Taiwo Ajobiewe as the goalkeepers’ trainer.
The Falconets have a World Cup qualifying fixture away to Sierra Leone mid-February, with the return leg scheduled for Nigeria two weeks later.
The invited players are to report at the FIFA Technical Centre, National Stadium, Abuja with their birth certificates and/or international passports.
PLAYERS INVITED: Goalkeepers: Ebubeleye White (Rivers Angels), Rabi Eyiabe (Bayelsa Queens), Favour Okeke (Kogi Confluence). Defenders: Uju Okafor (Delta Queens), Omolade Akinbiyi (Sunshine Queens), Ifeoma Nwosu, Kehind Idowu (Pelican Stars), Anne Eromosele (Yaba Queens), Rose Umeh (Nasarawa Amazon), Esther Anthony (FCT Queens), Bose Toriola (Police Machine). Midfielders: Jane David (Delta Queens), Kemi Yetunde (Nasarawa Amazon), Obiageli Aniebue, Rosemary Okoro (Tokas FC), Aminat Yakubu, Kehinde Akinade (Robo FC), Nnenna Eke (Ibom Queens), Funsho Ogunrinola, Geraldine Amadi (Nito Queens), Habibat Bello (Rivers Angels). Forwards: Vivian Okotie (Rivers Angels), Lola Philips (Kogi Confluence), Bushrah Adeyemi (Police Machine), Temilade Omole (Osun Queens), Winnifred Onyebora (Rivers Angels), Happiness Chibus (FCT Queens), Azeezat Oshola (Robo FC), Zainab Dauda (NICHO Ibadan), Akere Idemudia (Bayelsa Queens).