Super Falcons: No worries for Toni Payne as Chidimma dumps Nigeria for Ecuador

Ecuador-born Nigerian sensation Chidimma Ifema appears ready to dump Nigeria Super Falcons after being invited to their senior women’s national team. 

Pulse Sports can confirm that Ifema was one of the players named in the Ecuador 23-man team made public by their manager Professor Andres Usme. 

Nigeria’s Ifema is a midfielder in the Ecuadorian top flight and plays for the football club, Universidad Catalica.

She was born 25 years ago in Ecuador to a Nigerian father and an Ecuadorian mother which made her eligible for the Super Falcons and Ecuador. 

Ifema, whose full name is Chidimma Estafenia Ifema Gonzales, is said to be highly rated in the Ecuadorian Super Liga and has now been rewarded with a call-up to the national side. 

In what could be regarded as the biggest hint yet, following the release of the 23-woman squad list for their upcoming clash against Peru, Ifema gave her consent with a repost. on X.com 

Before her recent call-up, the 25-year-old had spent time with the Ecuadorian senior women’s team, with whom she had training camps per Jp Scouting.

However, she is yet to make an official debut and will be hoping to get on the pitch this time when they take on their counterparts from Peru. 

While the decision to represent Ecuador on the international stage, ditching Nigeria Super Falcons could raise concerns, one person who will benefit from it is Toni Payne.

Payne proved to be a standout performer during the last FIFAWWC co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia earlier this year.

The American-born central midfielder hardly put a foot wrong at the 2023 FIFAWWC, where she played a pivotal role as Nigeria Super Falcons made it to the round of 16.

Payne, who stars for Spanish side Seville, started four games in the FIFAWWC and ensured that Nigeria hardly missed Ngozi Ikobi, who missed out on the party. 

Therefore, with Ifema set for her debut against Peru, Payne will be relieved as she looks to continue her FIFAWWC form with the Falcons whose rich history and strong tradition of success are reflected in how Payne goes about her business in the middle third. 

As Chidimma embarks on her international journey with the Ecuadorian national team, the Falcons will look to take a huge step towards the next Olympics when they battle Ethiopia in a double-header.

Ethiopia will host the first leg on October 25 before coming down to the FCT, Abuja, for the second leg slated for October 31.