Nigeria announce squad ahead of FIFA Women's World Cup 2023

Rajarshi has been part of Khel Now since 2022, and he covers world football.

Published at :June 23, 2023 at 5:54 AM

Modified at :July 6, 2023 at 12:37 AM

Nigeria announce squad ahead of FIFA Women's World Cup 2023

The tournament is set to kick off on 20 July

Considered arguably Africa's dominant team in the ages, the Nigeria Women's World Cup 2023 team carries the ambitions of a continent as a whole.

Nigeria have participated in every Women's World Cup, and their greatest showing was in 1999 when they advanced to the quarterfinals.

They lost to Germany 3-0 in the last 16 four years ago, but they are confident going into the competition in Australia and New Zealand.

Asisat Oshoala of Barcelona, who scored 21 goals in Spain's Primera Division this season, and Rasheedat Ajibade of Atletico Madrid, a talented starlet who is poised to earn their debuts in the summer, are both seasoned members of the Nigerian team.

Never cast off Nigeria prematurely; their recent victories in friendlies against Haiti and New Zealand offer hopeful indicators as well.

Nigeria's opening World Cup match will take place against Canada on July 21. They are in World Cup Group B with Australia, Ireland, and Canada. Following is their latest squad from April's friendlies before they reveal their final World Cup roster on July 9.

Recent calls to the Nigeria Women's World Cup 2023 team

Goalkeeper: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC), Yewande Balogun (Saint-Étienne) , Inyeme Etim (Abia Angels)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alavés), Ashleigh Plumptre (Leicester City), Glory Ogbonna (ALG Spor), Oluwatosin Demehin (Reims), Rofiat Imuran (Reims), Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash), Onome Ebi (Levante Las Planas).

Midfielder: Halimatu Ayinde (Rosengård), Christy Ucheibe (Benfica), Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene (Eskilstuna United), Toni Payne (Sevilla), Regina Otu (Saint-Étienne), Deborah Abiodun (Bittsburgh).

Forwards: Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona), Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville FC), Ifeoma Onumonu (NJ/NY Gotham), Rasheedat Ajibade (Atlético Madrid), Desire Oparanozie (Wuhan Chegu Jianghan), Esther Okoronkwo (Saint-Étienne), Gift Monday (UD Granadilla Tenerife).

Rajarshi Shukla

After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.