Coach Justin Madugu defends reason for Rinsola Babajide’s bench role at WAFCON

Nigeria women’s national team head coach Justin Madugu has given his reasons surrounding the limited playing time of talented Super Falcons forward Rinsola Babajide at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The Rinsola Babajide Show 🎬

WAFCON debut? ✅
Goal? ✅
Assist? ✅

All in just 45 minutes of pure chaos for Tunisia 💥

Her run was electric, the finish? A thunderous left-footed rocket for her first-ever goal in Naija colours.

Remember the name, she’s arrived. 🦅… pic.twitter.com/SdZiavTRaV

— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) July 7, 2025

Despite her impactful performance in the first match, scoring one and providing an assist in Nigeria’s 3-0 win against Tunisia, the former Liverpool attacker has found herself largely on the bench in subsequent games.

As such, coach Madugu has defended his team selection ahead of the Super Falcons’ final clash with Morocco in the 2024 WAFCON. Babajide’s last game in the tournament was a brief cameo of just 13 minutes against Algeria.

However, addressing the press ahead of Saturday’s final, Madugu explained his decision, insisting it should not be about a particular player.

“It’s a team thing, not about an individual; it’s about the team. The fact that she has not been on the field of play does not mean she has not been playing well.”

The gaffer also highlighted Babajide’s crucial, albeit less visible, contributions to the squad.

“She has been instrumental in motivating the players, trying to get them to understand what is at stake. She has been fully supportive of everything that we do, and we are making our choices based on what we see and intend to do. She could have a role to play tomorrow.”

Madugu has preferred to use Folashade Ijamilusi, Chinwendu Ihezuo, and Esther Okoronkwo upfront.