Super Falcons await Ayinde, Okeke’s arrival for Cameroon friendlies
Mexico-based wing back Chidinma Okeke and midfielder Halimatu Ayinde are expected to arrive in Yaounde today as the Super Falcons intensify preparations for two international friendly matches against Cameroon. Their arrival is expected to further strengthen the Nigerian camp, which already has captain Rasheedat Ajibade and 16 other players settled at the team’s Hilton Hotel […]
super falcons players training hard at the mko abiola national stadium, abuja yesterday
Mexico-based wing back Chidinma Okeke and midfielder Halimatu Ayinde are expected to arrive in Yaounde today as the Super Falcons intensify preparations for two international friendly matches against Cameroon.
Their arrival is expected to further strengthen the Nigerian camp, which already has captain Rasheedat Ajibade and 16 other players settled at the team’s Hilton Hotel base in Yaounde ahead of the encounters billed for Saturday and Tuesday next week.
The friendly matches between Nigeria and Cameroon’s senior women national teams will take place at the Military Stadium, Yaounde, on Saturday, February 28, and Tuesday, March 3 respectively. Both teams are using the fixtures as part of their final build-up to the 14th Women Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for March 17 to April 3, 2026, in Morocco.
Reigning champions and 10-time winners Nigeria will compete in Group C of the continental tournament alongside Zambia, Egypt and debutants Malawi. The Super Falcons will open their campaign against Malawi on March 18 in Casablanca. Cameroon, runners-up at the 2016 edition, have been drawn in Group D with Ghana, Mali and debutants Cape Verde, and will face Mali in their opening match on March 18 in Fes.
Already in camp for Nigeria are Canada-based returnee Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, goalkeepers Comfort Erhabor and Fatima Oloko, defenders Glory Ogbonna, Oluwatosin Demehin, Shukurat Oladipo and Kafayat Shittu, midfielders Christy Ucheibe, Esther Onyenezide, Precious Christopher and Jennifer Echegini, as well as forwards Gift Monday, Joy Omewa, Favour Nkwocha, Folashade Ijamilusi and Rinsola Babajide.
Meanwhile, Okobi-Okeoghene has expressed delight at her return to the Super Falcons after a long absence. The midfielder last featured for Nigeria at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and later took time off football following pregnancy and childbirth.
Now back in contention, the 32-year-old Ottawa Rapid star described her invitation as an honour.
“I’m excited, and happy to be back in the team again. I’m grateful, and honoured. I can’t talk about my expectations at the moment . The way I do things is to take one step at a time,” she said.