China-based striker Desire Oparanozie has joined the Super Falcons camp in Antalya, Turkey, ahead of their friendly games against Haiti and 2023 World Cup co-host New Zealand.
Oparanozie’s arrival, which was announced on the Super Falcons’ Twitter handle, brings the number of players currently in camp for the double-header games to 20, while five more players are still being expected at the time of filing this report.
“Desire Oparanozie joined us before lunch time in Antalya. We are now 20 in camp. Still expected are US based quartet – Ifeoma Onumonu, Michelle Alozie, Jennifer Onyi Echegini, Uchenna Kanu and Osinachi Ohale.”
Oparanozie is making a return to the Falcons after being left out of the squad to last year’s women’s AFCON In Morocco.
Among the players who also arrived on Wednesday are Tosin Demehin, Rofiat Imuran, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Ashleigh Plumptre, Gift Monday, Asisat Oshoala, Ngozi Okobi, Toni Payne, Christy Uchiebe and Rasheedat Ajibade.
Meanwhile, executive board member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen has expressed confidence that Super Falcons will do well during the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Rt. Hon Icheen, a former Speaker of State Benue House of Assembly who spoke in Makurdi said Super Falcons double friendly matches against Haiti and New Zealand in Turkey would further boost their confidence and ability ahead of the Mundia
According to her, with improved football development Blueprint, the various women National teams will fare better.
“Normally if you are going into a war you need to prepare yourself. So getting to a competition like a World Cup, you don’t just relax… That is the reason these friendlies are played. Because our Super Falcons need to put themselves together and gather more experience. In life, learning is continuous.
“These two friendlies will certainly build up their confidence and ability to do more at the upcoming World Cup.”
On the repeated calls for a change of the current Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum, vis-a-vis not too impressive performance of the country’s senior women football team, Rt. Hon Icheen who is also the Benue FA chairman stated, “I believe that the recent performances of our national teams could be worrisome, because Nigerians expect them to be up and doing. But I have a belief that in life that when one struggles, there comes a time when you come of them. That’s why these friendly matches are put in place.
“We believe that good things will come out of Super Falcons with patience. Most people are complaining about the coach. Yes, coach could be part of the challenges, sometimes it could be something else.
“…because Nigerians are making complaints about the coach, I think the NFF President and board members will sit down and look into it very soon. We will look at the issues holistically and come up with solutions.
“We are just about six months on the board, we will continue to put heads together to find out where the problems are and we will not hesitate to take action to ensure Nigeria football is on the right path.”
