Coach Randy Waldrum has extended invitations to captain Rasheedat Ajibade, US-based Africa queen Asisat Oshoala and high-riding goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie among a group of 22 players for the two-legged Paris Olympics final qualifying fixture against South Africa next month. Saudi Arabia-based defender Ashley Plumptre and veteran rearguard Osinachi Ohale are also called, as well as youthful midfielder Deborah Abiodun, and forwards Esther Okoronkwo and Uchenna Kanu. There are recalls for 2019 World Cup star Chidinma Okeke and veteran forward Chiwendu Ihezuo, and a first invitation for U20 defender Shukurat Oladipo.

The Super Falcons are at home for the first leg scheduled for Friday, 5th April at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja before flying to Pretoria for the return at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday, 9th April. The winner over two legs will earn one of Africa’s two tickets to this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, with Zambia and Morocco to clash for the other ticket on the same dates. Waldrum has also kept faith with regulars like wing-back Michelle Alozie, midfield lynchpins Christy Ucheibe and Halimatu Ayinde, and forward Gift Monday.

All the invited players: Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens) Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Nicole Payne (Portland Thorns FC, USA); Chidinma Okeke (Mynavi Sendai Ladies, Japan) Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosengard, Sweden); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Jennifer Echegini (Juventus Ladies, Italy); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain) Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Esther Okoronkwo (Changchun FC, China); Ifeoma Onumonu (SLC Utah, USA); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Chiwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico).

Involve more women in sports administration – Pepsie Adiukwu

A sports journalist and women’s football influencer, Ms Pepsie Adiukwu, has called for involvement of more women in the administration of sports in Nigeria. Adiukwu made the call in an interview in Lagos. Adiukwu, who was recently listed as one of the 50 most influential women in sports in Africa by the Africa Sports Ventures Group, said that women were good administrators and excelled in any given task. According to her, records have shown that women are as intelligent and competent as their male counterparts. She urged, therefore, that women should be more involved in administering sports and in the management of other national affairs. She advised that consideration of women and men for any task should be based on merit.

Adiukwu said that many Nigerian women had proven beyond doubt that they had much to offer even in sports, considering their track records of achievements. “Appointments into key positions, whether in sports or any other place, must be done based on merit. “It must not be based on ‘god fatherism’ or any other factor. The same goes for funds meant for specific purposes. “Whatever fund is approved for athletes, for instance, must be duly dispensed for the purpose it is meant. “It is by doing this that these athletes are motivated and then go out there and ensure they bring honour in return to the nation. “Our sports administrators should realise that it is a win-win situation, when funds meant for development or training of athletes are used for that purpose.

“We reap what we invest,” the sports journalist said. On her recognition by the Africa Sports Venture Group, she said that she was humbled to be recognised among highly-respected women who had contributed much to the development of sports in Africa. Adiukwu, also a women’s rights advocate, said that the recognition would motivate her to do more in any given task. The philanthropist and Founder of Oge Pep Empowerment Initiative, a nonprofit organisation that caters for the needs of indigent women and girls, said that she would remain committed to good causes. “I feel very elated to have been picked among the 50 most influential women in sports, against the backdrop of the recent annual International Women’s Day celebration.

“It is a kind of motivation to continue blazing trails just as I did, over two decades ago, with my women football television show ‘Female Soccer with Pepsie’. “That was the first television show in Nigeria solely focused on women football, and over the years, I have been involved in the progress of the female national team, the Super Falcons. “It is a fact that I have spent a lot of time, energy and investment in the growth and development of women sports. “I am motivated to continue with my initiatives,” she said. Adiukwu, also a poet, congratulated the other seven Nigerian women on the list, who are Mary Onyali-Omagbemi, Tega Onojaife, Elizabeth Idoko-Okung, Gbemisola Abudu, Nkechi Obi and Aisha Shuaibu. She also expressed gratitude to unsung heroines across Africa for their contributions to the development sports. Adiukwu, a former Media Consultant to Seven-Up Bottling Company, makers of Pepsi, contributed to growth of the Pepsi Football Academy.