Photo Credit: CAF / Punchng.com
Coach Madugu Clarifies Oshoala’s Early Substitution in Falcons’ 6-2 Win Over Egypt
Six-time CAF Women’s Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, was unexpectedly taken off just before half-time in Nigeria’s emphatic 6-2 victory over Egypt at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Wednesday.
The Al-Hilal striker had put the Super Falcons ahead from the penalty spot in the 21st minute after winning the spot-kick herself. It was her second goal of the tournament, following her winner in Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Zambia in their second group game.
Addressing concerns after the match, Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu said the substitution was purely tactical and not injury-related.
“Actually, it was not much of an injury, but we felt the energy level was dropping a little. We planned to play with a high intensity, and we felt the energy level had dropped a little, allowing the Egyptians to settle at the back,” Madugu said in his post-match interview.
“We didn’t want them to settle so much at the back, and it was not really working the way we had expected. That forced the change that we made.”
Oshoala, 31, has won four WAFCON titles with Nigeria in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2024 since her debut in 2014, and has scored in every edition she has featured in except the 2022 tournament in Morocco, where she was ruled out with an injury sustained against South Africa.
Nigeria, chasing a record-extending 11th WAFCON title, will face Cameroon in the quarter-final on Sunday. The Falcons are also aiming to secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The forward had earlier called for fans’ support: “We need their support right now. A World Cup ticket is at stake… We know the Super Eagles didn’t qualify, so we know what’s at stake and we know how Nigerians feel about this.”
Source: Punch Nigeria /