Nigeria vs South Africa: Captain Ajibade lands in Abuja as Plumptre is replaced
Raba
Super Falcons captain, Rasheedat Ajibade arrived in Abuja early on Easter Monday ahead of Nigeria's crucial clash with South Africa.
The Nigeria women's national team will trade tackles with their South African counterparts in the final two-legged qualifying playoff for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
The first leg of the clash is slated for the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Friday, April 5th, while the reverse fixture will be held four days later.
The Super Falcons camp was declared open for the game on Monday, with Ajibade among the first birds to breeze through the doors.
Only on Saturday, Ajibade was in action for Club Atlético de Madrid Féminas, netting the winner in a 1-0 Primera División Femenina win over Valencia CF.
In the Nigeria camp with Ajibade are the duo of veteran goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi and youngster Jumoke Alani.
Former Falconets defender Alani was called up as a late replacement for Saudi Arabia-based Ashleigh Plumptre.
Plumptre, who featured in all of Nigeria's matches at last year's FIFA Women's World Cup, is sidelined due to injury.
While the likes of Christy Ucheibe, Uchenna Kanu, Gift Monday, and others are expected to arrive in camp in the coming hours, star striker Asisat Oshoala is scheduled to join on Thursday.
The reigning Africa Female Footballer of the Year was in action for Bay FC on Sunday in their 3-2 home defeat to Michelle Alozie's Houston Dash FC.
Nigeria are the African nation with the most appearances at the Olympics, but the Super Falcons have not been to the world's biggest sports since 2008.
This year's tournament in Paris is scheduled from July 24th to August 10th.