Nigeria's interim women's national team coach, Justin Madugu, has named his first squad of the post Randy Waldrum era, and the list appears to lay a roadmap for what the future of the team might look like.
Nigeria are scheduled to play two friendlies against the Algeria women's national team on October 26 and 29 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos. The games are part of preparations lined up for the team ahead of the next Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
Of the 25 players named in Madugu's squad, 19 are from Nigeria's domestic competition. That number was to be expected, with many of the top players, especially those in the US's National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), involved with their teams going into the business end of the season.
Only four players from the 22-strong 2024 Olympic Games roster, including alternates, made it on to the current selection. That includes captain Rasheedat Ajibade, defenders Tobin Demehin and Chidinma Okeke, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and forward Gift Monday, who was an alternate at the Games.
Apart from Okeke, who plays in Mexico, the other three play in Europe, suggesting that more Europe-based players, like Toni Payne for instance, could have been called up. But sources told ESPN the NFF originally only wanted locally-based players, and only made a U-turn at the last minute to allow for a few foreign-based players.
What is more telling, however, is the number of players called up from the team which reached the round of 16 at this year's U20 FIFA World Cup.
Four players have been called up from that squad. Comfort Folorunsho, Shukurat Oladipo, Chioma Olise and Janet Akekoromowei have all been handed opportunities to take their game up another level with the senior side.
"We want to see more of the younger players introduced into the team," an NFF source told ESPN. "Even though the Falconets lost in the round of 16, they showed a lot of promise and they lost to a good team who went to the Final.
"Having new players in the team will provide more quality and more competition, now that we may see some of the older players leaving the team."
Some of the players who are likely to age out of the team in the next year are goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi who is 37, defender Osinachi Ohale, 32, and Ify Onumonu, 30. Star striker Asisat Oshoala and midfielder Toni Payne will turn 30 next year, although they still have a few more years in the tank.
The under 20s will not be the only ones who may see a fast track to the Super Falcons. The NFF source also said Madudu is keeping a close eye on the Flamingoes taking part at the ongoing U17 World Cup.
"We have the likes of (Tosin) Demehin and Rafiat Imuran who came up from the Falconets, and if a player in the junior category show promise, they will also get a chance," they said.
It is a theme that Waldrum himself had hinted at in an earlier interview with ESPN, saying he would be looking at refreshing the team after the Olympic Games, if he stayed on. It would appear that Madugu, Waldrum's assistant for years, is following through with those plans.
The Algeria games will be the first time that the Super Falcons will play international friendly matches on home soil since the Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament, which was held at the same venue three years ago and won by South Africa.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Monle Oyono (Edo Queens); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)
Defenders: Chidinma Okeke (Club America, Mexico); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive FC, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Edo Queens); Florence Alexander (Bayelsa Queens); Blessing Ilivieda (Edo Queens); Sikiratu Isa (Nasarawa Amazons); Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens); Tessy Ojiyovwi (Nasarawa Amazons); Chidinma Ogbuchi (FC Robo Queens)
Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Esther Onyenezide (Hapoel Katamon, Israel); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Chioma Olise (Edo Queens); Josephine Matthias (Nasarawa Amazons); Amarachi Odoma (Edo Queens)
Forwards: Gift Monday (UDG Tenerife, Spain); Goodness Osigwe (Edo Queens); Janet Akekoromowei (Nasarawa Amazons); Delight Nwosu (Bayelsa Queens); Folashade Ijamilusi (Edo Queens); Mercy Omokwo (Bayelsa Queens); Olamide Bolaji (Remo Stars Ladies)