By ADERONKE OJO

Christopher Danjuma, the coach of Nigeria`s Under-20 Girls, the Falconets, has invited 23 players to camp on Thursday in Abuja, to commence preparations for the 13^th African Games scheduled for Accra, Ghana in March 8 to 24.

Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) stated this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Danjuma, has led his 2022 World Cup quarter-finalists to earn a ticket in the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup finals in Colombia, from Aug. 31 to Sept. 22.

The invited players are expected to resume camp in the Federal Capital, Abuja, on Thursday, at the Agete Luxury Hotel in Gwarinpa Estate.

“Nigeria will play Morocco, Senegal and Cameroon in the group stage of the 13^th African Games (formerly All-Africa Games)

The list of the invited players are:

Goalkeepers: Anderline Mgbechi (Delta Queens); Faith Omilana (Naija Ratels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons); Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens)

Defenders: Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Nasarawa Amazons); Chiamaka Nkwocha (FC Robo Queens); Jumoke Alani (Nasarawa Amazons); Shukurat Oladipo (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwabunmi Oladeji (Naija Ratels); Folashade Adegbemile (Delta Queens); Tumininu Adeshina (Naija Ratels)

Midfielders: Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons); Taiwo Afolabi (Delta Queens); Olushola Shobowale (Nasarawa Amazons); Aminat Folorunsho (Rivers Angels); Chioma Olise (Edo Queens); Chinyere Kalu (Nasarawa Amazons)

Forwards: Edidiong Etim (Bayelsa Queens); Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (Rivers Angels); Chinaza Agoh (Delta Queens); Mary Nkpa (Heartland Queens); Chiamaka Osigwe (Edo Queens); Janet Akekoromowei (Asisat Academy)

NAN reports that Over 4,000 athletes are expected to participate in the games. They will compete in 23 sports codes, namely Arm-Wrestling, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball (3×3), Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Chess, Cricket, Cycling,

Others are; Football, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Rugby, Aquatics, Table Tennis, Karate-Do Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling.

Seven out of the 23 sports codes, Badminton, Cycling, Table Tennis, Tennis, Triathlon, and Wrestling – will double as qualifiers for the Paris Olympics2024, raising the stakes even higher.

Beyond the official competition, the Games will also feature a variety of demonstration sports that showcase emerging trends and disciplines.

These include E-sports, Mixed Martial Arts, Speedball, Sambo, and Teqball. (NAN)

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