Abia Angels goalkeeper Fatima Oloko has described her maiden Super Falcons call-up as a dream come true, saying she feels privileged to join a squad that includes the player she admires most, Brighton and Hove Albion and Nigeria number one Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Oloko, who has kept four clean sheets in the Nigeria Women’s Football League this season and earned a Goalkeeper of the Week award, expressed disbelief upon receiving the news of her selection into head coach Justine Madugu’s 25-player squad for the friendlies against Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses.
“At first, I felt like I was dreaming. I was not expecting it. It is all God. It’s a privilege and also an honour to be among the team. It’s a dream come true for me,” she told PUNCH Sports Extra.
The highlight of the experience for Oloko was the opportunity to train alongside Nnadozie, the three-time consecutive African best female goalkeeper who was ranked fourth at the 2025 Yashin Trophy and is regarded as one of the finest female footballers in the world.
“It was an honour meeting you and having the privilege to train with you. Thank you so much, this truly means a lot to me,” Oloko wrote on X in tribute to Nnadozie, posting pictures with her on her account.
Oloko and Rivers Angels goalkeeper Anderline Mgbechi are the only two home-based players in the squad, with the rest drawn from overseas-based players, including captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Nnadozie, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene and Gift Monday.
The friendlies against Cameroon served as preparation for the 13th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where the top four semi-finalists will earn direct qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
CAF confirmed on Thursday that the competition, originally scheduled to be held between March 17 and April 3, will now take place from July 25 to August 16 after consultations with FIFA and other stakeholders.
