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By Amaechi Agbo

Some key players of the Super falcons will be missing when the team file out against Cape Verde in their final 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON qualifying matches this week.

Midfielder, Halimatu Ayinde, forward Ifeoma Onumonu as well as defender, Michelle Alozie are all out of the two-leg qualifiers injured.  

Midfield lynchpin Halimatu Ayinde, who missed the 2024 Olympics qualifying fixture against Ethiopia last month, is still out injured, and forward Ifeoma Onumonu also requested to be left out, saying she is nursing an injury. Defender Michelle Alozie told the team administrator that she will be undergoing a surgery.

Also not in the squad are striker, Asisat Oshoala and midfielder Jennifer Echegini both “voluntarily” pulled out of the match against Cape Verde

However, Coach Justin Madugu has called up Portugal-based Peace Efih to once again fill the space vacated by Ayinde, while Rivers Angels’ midfielder Motunrayo Ezekiel will take the place of Christy Ucheibe, who is unable to travel to Nigeria from her base in Portugal.

Nigeria U20 Girls’ ace forward Chioma Olise will take the place of US-based Echegini while Chiamaka Chukwu of Rivers Angels has been called up to take Oshoala’s place.

The Super Falcons will host the first leg of the fixture against their counterparts from Cape Verde at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Thursday, 30^th November, with the second leg scheduled for the Santiago-Estadio Nacional Blue Shark in Praia on Tuesday, 5^th December.