Rinsola Babajide, a former U23 international for England, claims that after being selected for Nigeria’s team to play Ethiopia in the 2024 Women’s Olympic Football qualification, she has experienced an outpouring of love and support.
The NFF has selected 22 players, including Babajide, for the two-game matches on October 23 and 31. The former Liverpool star expressed her gratitude for the call-up on Instagram: “I’m appreciative and fortunate to have been called up for the Olympic qualifiers.
“The amount of love I’ve been experiencing is incredible. I greatly appreciate it. Midfielder Alex Iwobi of Fulham and the Super Eagles contributed some of that love by responding, “Proud!”
Babajide, a quick winger who assisted England in winning bronze at the 2018 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, was chosen as the Reds 2019/2020 Player of the Season and received a call to the England Women’s training camp as a result of her impressive achievements with Liverpool.
However, once Liverpool was demoted from the WSL, Babajide, born in London, sought to push a transfer abroad in 2021 to improve her prospects of rejoining the Lionesses. However, this only served to limit her options. She last competed for the U23 team in April 2022.
She ultimately signed with Brighton & Hove Albion, moved to Spain, spent 18 months with Real Betis, and then signed with UD Tenerife this summer. Her presence will give the Super Falcon’s forward line more pace and competitiveness.
A big omission has slipped under the radar while this first-time call-up may dominate the headlines. Along with fellow UK-born and raised defender Ashleigh Plumptre, perhaps Nigeria’s finest player in the thrilling World Cup round of 16 match against England, and rising star Deborah Abiodun, captain Onome Ebi was left out of the team.
Ebi, 40, became one of just five players to have participated in at least six FIFA Women’s World Cups, and it was generally anticipated that she would declare her retirement after the tournament. She was selected for the team to play So Tomé e Principe in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifications, but that news never materialized. Due to the withdrawal of the adversary, that match was called off.
Despite the NFF release being silent on Ebi’s exclusion, it is believed by federation insiders that she is being “encouraged” to make her retirement public.
The team’s coaching status is still unresolved, despite the NFF’s announcement in September that they will begin contract negotiations with Randy Waldrum to extend his employment.
Officials are reluctant to provide an update on the situation. Who will lead the Nigerian squad into the qualifications as they attempt to return to the Olympic Games remains unknown. Although the Super Falcons were eligible for the first three competitions in 2000, 2004, and 2008, they could not advance to the next three.
SUPER FALCONS SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Monle Oyono (Bayelsa Queens)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca FC, Mexico); Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Nicole Payne (Paris Saint Germain, France); Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France)
Midfielders: Halimatu Ayinde (Rosengard FC, Sweden); Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Regina Otu (AS Saint Etienne, France)
Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona Feminine, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday ((Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Opeyemi Ajakaye (FC Robo Queens)
