Camp updates as Waldrum drafts in five U20 players to Nigeria squad for United States doubleheader test

Nigeria senior women’s coach Randy Waldrum has invited five members of the country’s 2022 U20 Women’s World Cup team for next month’s two-legged international friendly against United States, SavidNews can exclusively report.

Waldrum has included the Falconets’ stars on his no fewer than 26-woman roster set to seek an upset against the reigning world champions for the first time since last meeting at the Summer Series last June.

The five players include centre back and captain Blessing Oluwatosin Demehin, right back Jumoke Alani, left back Rofiat Imuran, and midfielder Deborah Abiodun and forward Esther Onyenezide.

All invited Falconets’ ladies will be dreaming of an impactful debut at the senior level except for Demehin, who made her debut in the 1-0 defeat to Jamaica at the Summer Series last year on June 10.

The inclusion of the Falconets’ quartet is coming on the heels of the unavailability of some key players due to varying reasons, ranging from visa hitches and club switch.

SavidNews understand that visa hitches had seen Sweden based duo of Halimatu Ayinde and Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene as well Russia based duo of Francisca Ordega and Macleans Chinonyerem ruled out.

As expected, star striker Asisat Oshoala, who won a record fifth African Women’s Footballer of the Year in July, will also not make the trip as she continues to recover from the injury picked during the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

In a related development, the Super Falcons camp has since opened in Abuja with Nigeria based players, including those from the U20 side at Serob Hotel on Monday.

Besides the five U20 stars, goalkeeper Christy Ohiaeriaku from Edo Queens, Robo Queens forward Monday Gift and Esther Ogbonna Akudo from Rivers Angels complete the list of eight local players.

With visas secured, the eight home based players and officials are scheduled to depart Nigeria for the United States on Tuesday night to unite with foreign professionals ahead of Saturday’s first match in Kansas City.

The nine-time African champions will battle the reigning World champions in their preparation for the 2023 FIFA World Cup, with first clash at the Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas on 3rd September and then have a go at each other’s jugular once more at the Audi Field in Washington, D. C. on 6th September.

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