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By: Johnny Edward
Ittihad Ladies defender, Ashleigh Plumptre has been recalled to the Super Falcons squad ahead of next Friday’s third round 2024 Women’s Olympic qualifying fixture against Cameroon, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The versatile defender returns to the team for the first time since the Women’s World Cup finals in Australia last summer, where she was outstanding for the Falcons playing as a left back.
The first leg of the Olympic qualifier is scheduled for the Stade de la Reunification in Douala, Cameroon. It is also the penultimate round of the series before Africa’s flag-bearers to the 2024 Olympics are known ahead of the Games billed to be held from July 26 to August 11 in Paris France.
The list includes three goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders and six forwards.
The goalkeepers are Paris FC’s Chiamaka Nnadozie, Tochukwu Oluehi of Shualat Alsharqia from Saudi Arabia and Linda Jiwuaku of Bayelsa Queens in the Nigeria Women’s Football League.
The defenders are Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha, Mexico), Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, S’Arabia), Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France), Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA), Akudo Ogbonna (Remo Stars Ladies), Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France).
In midfield, Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA), Halimatu Ayinde (Rosengard, Sweden), Christy Ucheibe (Benfica, Portugal), Jennifer Echegini (Juventus, Italy), Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Toni Payne (Sevilla, Spain) while Omorinsola Babajide (Tenerife, Spain), Esther Okoronkwo (Henan FC, China), Ifeoma Onumonu (Utah, USA), Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, Spain), Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA) and Gift Monday (Tenerife, Spain) completes the list for forward.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football has appointed Ugandan official Shamirah Nabadda as referee.
Her compatriots Lydia Nantabo, Jane Mutonyi and Diana Murungi will serve as assistant referees one, two and fourth officials respectively. Khadija Rezzag from Morocco will be the referee assessor while Lukusa Kanjinga from the Democratic Republic of Congo will be the commissioner.
The second leg of the tie in Nigeria will take place at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja February 26 and CAF has appointed Namibian official Ndemugwanitha Twanyanyukwa as referee, with her compatriots Eveline Augustinus, Olivia Amukuu and Victoria Shangula in the roles of assistant referee one, assistant referee two and fourth official respectively.