Asisat Oshoala: Madugu explains omission of Super Falcons striker

Nigeria women’s national team head coach Justine Madugu has explained his decision to omit forward Asisat Oshoala from the Super Falcons that will face Cameroon in friendly matches.

The Super Falcons will take on Cameroon in a double-header as part of their preparations for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) slated for Morocco later in March.

🇳🇬🦅 Super Falcons Head Coach, Justin Madugu has named his 25 players for the double-header clash against Cameroon in Yaoundé ahead of this Year’s WAFCON.

Asisat Oshoala OUT, Gift Monday IN 👀#WAFCON2026 #SoarSuperFalcons #superfalcons pic.twitter.com/1IwlfWTpmO

— Football Fans Tribe 🇳🇬 ⚽ (@FansTribeHQ) February 19, 2026

While unveiling his squad, Madugu overlooked Oshoala, who has been a common figure in the Super Falcons squad, and currently enjoying a good run of form with Saudi club Al-Hilal.

‘It’s chance for us to see new things’

Explaining his decision, Madugu said as quoted by Complete Sports: “It’s a friendly match, and it’s important we give others opportunity to show what they can do.

“We all want the best for the country. We know what she (Oshoala) can offer, so the two friendlies is an opportunity for us to see others too. It’s chance for us to see new things.”

Madugu added: “Asisat is still part of the team, and there should not be any uproar about her exclusion for the upcoming games.”

‘WAFCON deserves respect’

In Morocco, Nigeria will face Malawi, Zambia, and Egypt, and speaking about the draw, Madugu said: “It’s a good one (the draw) because any team that qualify to play in a tournament like the WAFCON deserves respect, and no team can be underrated considering the fact everyone is doing what they can do develop their game.”

He added: “A lot investments are coming in now. We can see that the standard of women’s football in Africa has grown. Now, we have players playing abroad, from different countries.

“You can find professionals from different countries in Africa now, unlike in the past when it used to be very few countries in West Africa. Now, it is a global thing. On the level of that, and the investment countries are putting into the development of women’s football, you know it is not going to be easy.”

Super Falcons aware of challenges

He concluded: “We will be going as the defending champions, we are aware it is not going to be easy, because it used to be 12 teams, but it is now 16 teams. Now, we have to compete to retain the trophy against 15 other countries.

“We are quite aware of the challenges that are ahead of us, and we are getting ready for that. We know that other countries want the trophy too.

“For us, we will be going with the objective of retaining the title. You know retaining the trophy is always more difficult than when you want to win it for the first time.”

With the WAFCON due to kick off in Morocco in a matter of weeks, the title holders have opted for competitive match practice rather than extended training camps alone.

The two friendlies are scheduled for Saturday and the following Tuesday, forming the core of the Super Falcons’ final build-up phase.