Nigeria are not taking the upcoming (women's) friendly match against France lightly with the invitation of top quality stars including Atletico Madrid striker Ordega and ex-Wolfsburg sharp-shooter Oparanozie.
The much anticipated encounter is billed to take place at the Stade MMArena in the city of Le Mans, France on Friday, 6th April 2018.
The Swedish Coach of Nigeria, Thomas Dennerby, whose home-based women came third at the WAFU Women Cup of Nations in Abidjan in February this year, following (a rather painful) penalty shoot-out defeat by Ghana in the semi finals, will now have the complement of foreign based professionals to work with for the first time against mighty France.
Nigeria’s list of 17 players includes the likes of Rita Chikwelu, who captained the team to victory in the 2016 African (Women's) Cup of Nations, as well as Benzema-like forward Desire Oparanozie, the unpredictable Francisca Ordega, midfielder marshal Ngozi Okobi and promising home –based goalkeepers Onyinyechukwu Okeke and Chiamaka Nnadozie.
The plan is for U.S –based forward Courtney Dike and Ordega to be first arrivals in Le Mans on Tuesday, 3rd April – the same day the delegation from Nigeria will depart from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Super Falcons will lodge at the Mercure Le Mans Centre.
Their opponents, France, were semi-finalists at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup and quarter-finalists three times at the European Women's Championship.
THE FULL LIST
Goalkeepers: Onyinyechukwu Okeke; Chiamaka Nnadozie
Defenders: Josephine Chukwunonye; Ngozi Ebere; Faith Ikidi; Ugo Njoku; Osinachi Ohale; Glory Ogbonna
Midfielders: Rita Chikwelu; Ngozi Okobi; Ini-Abasi Umotong; Ogonna Chukwudi
Forwards: Francisca Ordega; Desire Oparanozie; Courtney Dike; Esther Sunday; Anam Imo