WAFCON topscorer in, Barcelona star out of Nigeria’s friendly against Japan

The African and Asian powerhouses trade tackles on Thursday in preparation for next year’s World Cup

Nigeria head coach Randy Waldrum has welcomed nineteen Super Falcons stars to the team camp in Kobe, Japan, ahead of the friendly encounter with the 2011 World champions.

The Super Falcons will lock horns with the Nadeshiko at the Noevir Stadium in Kobe on Thursday, September 6.

Top on the list of the players in the Nigerian camp is Atletico Madrid forward Rasheedat Ajibade.

Ajibade finished as the joint-top goalscorer at the 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco with three goals.

One of her strikes included the winner against Cameroon’s Lionesses in the quarter-finals that secured Nigeria’s place at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand.

While Ajibade joins 18 others preparing to face Japan, Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala will not be involved.

The former Liverpool and Arsenal striker last played for the Super Falcons at the WAFCON, where she sustained an injury in the team’s opening match.

She has, however, returned from the sidelined and scored a brilliant goal for Barcelona in their 4-1 thrashing of Villarreal last month.

Super Falcons’ full squad for Japan

Chiamaka Nnadozie
Nkiruka Obidinma
Glory Ogbonna
Akudo Ogbonna
Jumoke Alani
Deborah Abiodun
Esther Onyenezide
Ashleigh Plumptre
Rasheedat Ajibade
Peace Efih
Osinachi Ohale
Michelle Alozie
Ifeoma Onumonu
Flourish Sabastine
Christy Ucheibe
Amanda Mbadi
Ngozi Okobi
Uche Kanu
Vivian Ikechukwu