Oparanozie in Fitness Race for Ghana Clash

AWCON 2016

Desire Oparanozie faces a race against time to be fit for Nigeria’s African Women’s Cup of Nations clash with Ghana today due to a muscle strain.

The Guingamp forward who won the top scorer award at the 2014 edition with five goals, missed the Super Falcons’ drubbing of Mali after failing a late fitness test.

The 22-year-old was forced off just 15 minutes into last Monday’s final warm up match against Abess Academy in Abuja after complaining of a muscle strain.

Responding to questions about Oparanozie’s absence, head coach Florence Omagbemi insists the France-based forward is fine and will be featured when the time is right.

“Oparanozie is fine. It not my decision alone, I am working with my technical crew and we make collective contribution to pick the best players that fit into our plans,” said Omagbemi.

“We decided on what is good for the team and pick the best to play. We have twenty-one players in the squad, and every players would get opportunity to play.

“Oparanozie’s time will come and she will get to play,” she concluded.