By Njoku Chijioke
Super Falcons head coach, Justine Madugu, has defended his decision to exclude in-form forward Monday Gift from Nigeria’s 24-player squad for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), citing regulatory and tactical considerations.
Gift, who has been outstanding for Washington Spirit in the U.S. National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), was a surprise omission.
However, Madugu clarified that the decision was not based on form but on CAF’s squad size restrictions and a comprehensive evaluation process.
“We conducted a detailed analysis of every position, looking at strengths, weaknesses, and player versatility. It’s not just about Gift; there were several players we would have loved to include, but we had to make tough choices,” Madugu said.
He also addressed rumors regarding striker Asisat Oshoala’s commitment to the national team, emphasizing that her earlier absence was due to permit issues.
“It wasn’t that Asisat wasn’t willing to play. There were documentation constraints. She remains a valuable asset to the team,” he stated.
The Super Falcons will play Portugal in a warm-up friendly on June 23 before facing Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria in Group B of the tournament. The team is aiming for a historic 10th WAFCON title in Morocco.
