Houston Dash defender Michelle Alozie is full of excitement as the Super Falcons open camp in Ogun state, Nigeria in anticipation of their double header friendly matches against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon as part of preparations for the upcoming Women Africa Cup of Nations, Footynaija.com reports.
Alozie was one of the early birds at the Super Falcons’ Ijebu-Ode camp, alongside Atletico Madrid forward and team captain Rashidat Babajide, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Uche Echegini and UDG Tenerife forward Omorinsola Babajide.
Speaking to the Nigeria Football Federation after her arrival, the versatile Carlifonia-based defender couldn’t hide her excitement about the upcoming games against Cameroon and the WAFCON in Morocco later this year.
What Michelle Alozie said
“I am excited for the upcoming training camp and to be back with the Super Falcons; it’s my first time in Ogun State! Everyone is looking forward to the Women AFCON and that is our main focus.”
Alozie publicly highlighted some disparities between the treatment of the women’s and men’s teams in a recent interview while recalling her first Super Falcons camp. She recounted her shock at being expected to hand wash her training kit when the men’s team didn’t have to do the same.
However, in an apparent attempt to set the record straight, Alozie acknowledged that there have been improvements in treatment of the Nigeria women’s national team.
“The way we are treated has changed in the past few years, for the better, especially with our continued success over the years. I am happy to see the steady change as women’s sports across the world continue to achieve and fight for more equality.”
The bulk of the squad are expected to arrive at Ijebu-Ode on Monday while first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie is expected to arrive on Tuesday with midfielder Christy Ucheibe, who plays in Portugal, set to land in Nigeria on Wednesday.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will face Cameroon’s Lionesses in the first leg on Saturday, May 31, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne. The return leg is set for Tuesday, June 3, at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta.
SUPER FALCONS TO FACE CAMEROON
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens); Morufa Ademola (Edo Queens)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lionesses, England); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Edo Queens); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens)
Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Josephine Mathias (Nasarawa Amazons); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Amarachi Odoma (Edo Queens)
Forwards: Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia); Olamide Bolaji (Remo Stars Ladies); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Emem Essien (Edo Queens)
