Fatima Oloko savours ‘dream’ Super Falcons invitation

Abia Angels goalkeeper Fatima Oloko has described her debut invitation to the Nigerian senior women’s national team as a “dream come true,” calling it a profound honour to represent the Super Falcons.

The rising star was a surprise inclusion in the latest squad, and speaking with PUNCH Sports Extra, Oloko admitted to a moment of disbelief when she first received the news of her selection.

“At first, I felt like I was dreaming; I truly was not expecting it,” Oloko remarked. “It is all God’s doing. It is a massive privilege and an honour to be part of this team. For me, this is the realisation of a lifelong dream.”

NWFL Form Rewards Fatima Oloko

Fatima Oloko’s promotion to the national stage is no fluke. The shot-stopper has been in sensational form in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), racking up four clean sheets so far in the 2025/26 campaign. Her consistency between the posts for Abia Angels proved impossible for national team selectors to ignore.

Head coach Justine Madugu rewarded that domestic form by naming her in the 25-player squad for the high-profile double-header international friendlies against Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses.

Notably, Oloko and Rivers Angels’ Anderline Mgbechi are the only two home-based players from the NWFL to make the final roster, highlighting the magnitude of their achievement.

The Super Falcons will face their arch-rivals in Yaoundé on Saturday, February 28, and Tuesday, March 3. These fixtures are considered critical preparation for the 13th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3.

The stakes in Morocco are exceptionally high; the four semi-finalists will secure automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. For Oloko, these friendlies represent an opportunity to stake her claim for a permanent spot in the squad ahead of the continental showpiece.