HERRIMAN, Utah (March 26, 2024) - Utah Royals FC forward Ifeoma Onumonu has been selected by the Nigerian FA to represent the nation in the final round of 2024 Women Olympic Football Tournament Qualifiers where they will face South Africa on April 5 and April 9.
Nigeria got to this stage by navigating past Cameroon, winning 1-0 on aggregate in February, while the current AFCON Champions South Africa put four past Tanzania across two legs, conceding none, to reach the fourth round. If Nigeria can overcome South Africa, they will make their fourth Summer Olympic appearance, with their best result coming in 2004 where they fell in the quarterfinals to bronze medalists Germany.
The Super Falcons are the most successful African nation having won eleven AFCON titles, most recently in 2018, defeating South Africa in the final. They remain the only African women’s national team that has reached the quarterfinals in both the World Cup and the Olympics.
Onumonu has 15 caps for Nigeria after representing the United States at the U23 level. The former NWSL Champion will be available for selection on Sunday for the Royals’ first away match of the season against Washington Spirit at Audi Field at 11:00a MT and will travel to Abuja following the match.
Nigeria Squad:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Nicole Payne (Portland Thorns FC, USA); Chidinma Okeke (Mynavi Sendai Ladies, Japan)
Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosengard, Sweden); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Jennifer Echegini (Juventus Ladies, Italy); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain)
Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Esther Okoronkwo (Changchun FC, China); Ifeoma Onumonu (Utah Royals FC, USA); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Chiwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico)
