Head coach of Nigeria’s women senior national team, Florence Omagbemi, has appointed Rita Chikwelu as the new captain of the team.
She replaces Evelyn Nwabuoku, who will not be part of the 2016 African Women’s Cup of Nations due to injury.
“Ladies, you all know why the captain is not here with us, so we will be needing someone else to fill in for her in this competition,” Omagbemi said.
“Alongside my assistants, we have decided to pick Rita Chikwelu to be the captain and Osinachi Ohale as the assistant. And I want you all to co-operate with them and work together as a team.”
Chikwelu, who plays for Umea IK, was a member of the Nigerian Olympic team to the 2008 edition in China and also played at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Falcons begin the defence of their title against Mali on Sunday at the Stade Municipal de Limbe, Cameroon.
