Sports
WAFCON 2022: Coach Drops Oparanozie, Ihezuo From Falcons Squad
China-based players Desire Oparanoize and Chinwendu Ihezuo have been dropped from the Super Falcons ahead of next month’s Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Tidesports source reports.
Oparanoize who was one of the nine forwards called up by Randy Waldrum for the 2022 WAFCON in Morocco was replaced in the squad by the Anam Imo while Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene was drafted in for Chinwendu Ihezuo.
“ Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene has been called up to replace Chinwendu Ihezuo and Anam Imo will replace Desire Oparanozie,” Tidesports source reports..
Meanwhile, Super Falcons’ captain, Onome Ebi has declared that the nine-time African champions are fully focused on the twin objectives of winning a ticket to the 2023 Women’s World Cup finals and retaining their Women Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco next month.
“We are aware of the intense competition that is going to play out there in Morocco. We have no illusions. Women’s football has continued to grow in a lot of other African nations, faster than anyone can imagine. So, there will be nothing like under-rating any team. All the teams will be upbeat about their chances and winning tickets to the World Outrage as NFF drops in-form Oparanozie, invites players without clubs for one year
“On our part, as defending champions, we know our strengths. We know what we have to bring to the pitch to conquer. The wise thing always is to take it one match at a time. We go up first against the Banyana, and then we have to face the challenges of Botswana and Burundi then the next stage. World Cup ticket is paramount, but we also want to retain our trophy.”