Super Falcons Forward Desire Oparanozie has said that she would be cheering the team from her base in China after it was confirmed that she won’t be available for the 2022 Women’s AFCON.
The experienced striker made her absence known through her Twitter handle on Monday, citing border restrictions due to COVID-19 infection in China.
“Due to issues bothering on border restrictions, which is beyond my control. I am officially unavailable to serve. Which explains my replacement. I wish the team all the best in Morocco as I will be cheering from here. #GoSuperFalcons #AWCON2022” She noted.
The Covid-19 pandemic started in China’s Hubei province, but early and strict lockdowns originally helped keep the virus under control. However, the Omicron variant has proven challenging, and the government is still pursuing a “zero Covid” strategy.
China has reported 2,376,208 cases and 14,583 deaths as of May 19, 2022. About 89% of the adult population is fully vaccinated.
The Wuhan Jianghan University Football Club Forward have won and represented Nigeria in four Women’s AFCON tournament, 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018, scoring crucial goals in both the 2014 and 2016 finals against Cameroon.
Oparanozie will be a big loss for the Super Falcons, but Head Coach Randy Waldrum will be depending on other strikers in Camp to deliver in Morocco.
