Africa Women Cup of Nations winning defender Faith Ikidi has been named in the Team of the Season for the 2018 Damalsvenskan. The 31-year-old Ikidi played a key role as Pitea IF won the title in Sweden, making 20 appearances from a possible 22 games, including 18 starts. Faith Ikidi has had previously been voted Damallsvenskan player of the 2018 season by Swedish referees after helping Pitea IF win a first major domestic title in their history.

The 31-year-old, who made 20 appearances in 22 games for her Swedish topflight side, was handed the accolade in recognition of her outstanding contribution in her club’s title success. Stellan Carlsson’s side waited till the final day to beat Kopparberg/Göteborg and Rosengard in the race for the league diadem and secure a ticket to 2019 Uefa Women’s Champions League.

The Damalsvenskan XI was voted for by the players themselves through the Players Association and Pitea IF have contributed the most players with five, of the 21 players named in the Super Falcons squad for the 2018 AWCON, six ply their trade in Sweden : Osinachi Ohale (Vittsjö GIK), Josephine Chukwunonye (Asarums IF), Faith Ikidi (Pitea IF), Rita Chikwelu (Kristianstads DFF), Halimatu Ayinde (Asarums IF), Ngozi Okobi (Eskilstuna United DFF).

In a 3-4-3 formation, Ikidi  and Rita Chikwelu’s teammates Mia Carlsson and Sif Atladóttir were deployed in defense.