Four-time African
Footballer of the year Perpetua Nkwocha hopes to bow out on a high after confirming that the Women’s World Cup in Canada will be her last.
The 39-year-old will play in her fourth tournament after being named in the Super Falcons 23-woman squad for the tournament that begins on 6 June.
The first BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala is also included.
“This will definitely be my last world cup appearance and I want to make it count,” Nkwocha told Tidesports source.
“Our success at the last African women championship shows that we’ve got a very competitive Super Falcons side.
“I am surrounded by a some experienced players and talented young ones, I believe we’ll give it our all in Canada.”
Nkwocha, who is based in Sweden, also played for the Super Falcons at the 2003, 2007 and 2011 tournaments.
Evelyn Nwabuoku will captain the side, while striker Courtney Dike, who plays for Oklahoma State University in the USA, also makes the final squad.
Coach Edwin Okon will be looking to Desire Oparanozie, who plays in France for En Avant Guingamp of France and was top scorer at the AWC in Namibia, as his main goal scorer.
Nigeria play their opening game in Canada – against Sweden – on 8 June, two days after the tournament starts.
Veteran goalkeeper Precious Dede, 35, makes the travelling party which also faces tricky group games against Australia and USA.
Seven-time African champions Nigeria is the only African team to have played in all Fifa Women’s World Cup tournaments since 1991.
But they have failed to translate their continental dominance on the world stage, as their best performance came in the USA in 1999 when they reached the quarter-finals.
The Super Falcons were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Brazil after finishing second in their group.
Nigeria World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Precious Dede (Ibom Queens); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Rivers Angels); Ibubeleye Whyte (Rivers Angels)
Defenders: Blessing Edoho (Pelican Stars); Osinachi Ohale (Rivers Angels); Onome Ebi (FC Minsk, Belarus); Josephine Chukwunonye (Rivers Angels); Ugo Njoku (Rivers Angels); Ngozi Ebere (Rivers Angels); Sarah Nnodim (Nasarawa Amazons)
Midfielders: Evelyn Nwabuoku (BIIK Kazygurt, Kazakhstan); Halimatu Ayinde (Delta Queens); Martina Ohadugha (Rivers Angels); Cecilia Nku (Rivers Angels)
Forwards: Perpetua Nkwocha (Clemensnas IF, Sweden); Esther Sunday (FC Minsk, Belarus); Asisat Oshoala (Liverpool Ladies, England); Desire Oparanozie (En Avant Guingamp, France); Ngozi Okobi (Delta Queens); Francisca Ordega (Washington Spirit, USA); Loveth Ayila (Rivers Angels); Courtney Dike (Oklahoma State University, USA); Ini-Abasi Umotong (Portsmouth Ladies, England) .