HERRIMAN, Utah (Thursday, February 15, 2024) - Utah Royals FC forward Ifeoma Onumonu has been selected by Nigeria to represent her home nation in 2024 Women Olympic Football Tournament Qualifier matches against Cameroon on Friday February 23 and Monday February 26.
The first match will be played in Douala, Cameroon with the return leg played in Nigerian capital City, Abuja.
Because only two teams can qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics out of Africa, these matches are must wins for the Super Falcons. The seeding for the qualifying tournament is based on results from the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations where Nigeria fell in the semi-final to Morocco. They entered Olympic qualifying in the second round, beating Ethiopia with an aggregate score of 5-1 across two legs in October 2023.
If Onumonu’s squad can navigate past Cameroon, they will face either Tanzania or current AFCON Champions South Africa in their final match of the qualifying tournament. The forward has 14 caps for the Super Falcons, recording two goals in that time, and most recently played in the 2023 World Cup where Nigeria exited in the Round of 16.
Super Falcons to take on Cameroon:
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); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Akudo Ogbonna (Remo Stars Ladies); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France)
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 (Henan FC, China); Ifeoma Onumonu (Utah Royals FC, USA); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)
Onumonu will return in time for the home/season opener as the Utah Royals face Chicago Red Stars on March 16. Get your tickets at www.rsl.com/utahroyals/tickets.
