Paris 2024 qualifier: Atletico Madrid star, Saudi Arabia-based GK land in Super Falcons camp for South Africa

In preparation for their crucial 2024 Olympic Games qualifier against South Africa, the Super Falcons have raised the level with a mix of familiar faces and new arrivals, Soccernet.ng reports.

At the forefront of the arrivals are the trio of captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, and defender Jumoke Alani, all touching down at the team’s Abuja camp.

The presence of Atletico Madrid’s attacking midfielder Ajibade and Oluehi, who plays as a goalkeeper for Saudi Women’s Premier League club Eastern Flames, will set the tone for more players anticipated to bolster the squad today.

Former Falconets star Alani, who made her international debut in a friendly against Japan in 2022, steps into the fray to replace Ashleigh Plumptre, who succumbed to injury.

Plumptre was a constant feature in the Super Falcons squad that reached the knockout rounds of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. 

Expected to join the Super Falcons ranks today are Shukurat Oladipo, Chidinma Okeke, and Gift Monday. 

Head coach Randy Waldrum invited 22 players as the Super Falcons prepare to host the Banyana Banyana at the Moshood Abiola Stadium this Friday, followed by a rematch in Pretoria next week Tuesday.

With Nigeria’s last appearance in the Olympic Games dating back to 2008, the team is on the cusp of a historic return, having faced setbacks in 2012, 2016, and 2020.

The Equatorial Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire thwarted the Super Falcons’ aspirations in the two most recent editions.

However, fueled by recent victories over Ethiopia and Cameroon, the Super Falcons are inching closer to realizing their Olympic dream, propelled by their sights set on the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

The tournament is scheduled from July 24th to August 10th.