LA 2028: Ijamilusi Joins Super Falcons Camp As Squad Swell To 15

…Ajibade, Echegini, Alozie, others arrive Tuesday

Super Falcons preparations for their 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifying campaign received a boost Tuesday’s morning with the arrival of China-based forward Folashade Ijamilusi in camp.

Ijamilusi, who plays for Lianiong Baiye in China, became the 15th player to report to camp in Ikenne, Ogun State, as the 10-time African champions intensify preparations for Friday’s first-leg encounter against Comoros at the Remo Stars Stadium.

Her arrival followed Monday evening’s training session, which was attended by 14 players, with the squad expected to continue growing ahead of the crucial Olympic qualifying fixture.

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade and her Paris Saint-Germain teammate Jennifer Echegini, as well as United States-based defender Michelle Alozie, are among the players expected to arrive on Tuesday.

Midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Toni Payne are also expected, alongside forwards Gift Monday, Joy Omewa, Janet Akekoromowei and Uchenna Kanu.

The Falcons are aiming to secure a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics after ending a 16-year absence from the women’s football tournament at Paris 2024.

Interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen has, however, been forced to make several changes to his original squad.

Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, the Most Valuable Player of the recently concluded WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup in Yamoussoukro, and Favour Nkwocha, who featured for the Falconets at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, have been released to join the Flamingos ahead of the U17 World Cup in Morocco.

Defender Ashley Plumptre has also been excused after sustaining a sprain and ligament injury, while SL Benfica duo Oluwatosin Demehin and Flourish Sabastine will miss the Comoros tie as they pursue their resident permits.

Five-time Africa Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala has equally been excused, leading Eguavoen to draft in Belarus-based former U20 international forward Blessing Okpe.

With more players expected to arrive, the Falcons are set to step up their training programme as they bid to gain an advantage in the first leg before the return fixture.