Oshoala out as 19 Super Falcons prepare for Japan friendly

Asisat Oshoala will not be in the Super Falcons line-up when they face Japan in a high-profile friendly match on Thursday.

The match between the two sides preparing for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be played at the Noevir Stadium in Kobe.

Oshoala, who missed most of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in July due to injury, is the major absentee in the Super Falcons squad already in Kobe for the match.

The five-time Women’s African Player of the Year has recovered from her injury and has featured for Barcelona Femeni in their last three Spanish league fixtures.

She scored in the 4-1 win over Villarreal on September 25 and was in the starting line-up in the 7-0 thrashing of Madrid CFF on Saturday.

There was no reason given for Oshoala’s absence even as it is the FIFA window for international women’s matches.

Gift Monday and Falconets captain Tosin Demehin, who were both invited, are also unavailable.

Meanwhile, there are 19 Super Falcons players in Kobe ready to take on the 2011 world champions, with the quartet of Amanda Mbadi, Ngozi Okobi, Uchenna Kanu and Vivian Ikechukwu the latest arrivals.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie as well as defenders Ashleigh Plumptre, Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie are among the regular faces in Kobe for the big game.

Other regular players in the squad include Rasheedat Ajibade, Peace Efih, Ifeoma Onumonu and Christy Ucheibe.

Esther Onyenezide, Flourish Sabastine and Deborah Abiodun, who stood out for the Falconets at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica in August, are also in Kobe for the friendly.

Tomorrow’s match will be the fourth between Nigeria and Japan at senior women’s level, with the Asians winning the previous three.

Super Falcons players in Kobe
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
Uchenna Kanu
Vivian Ikechukwu

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