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.

Bold Decision: Why Justine Madugu Dropped Asisat Oshoala from Super Falcons Squad

Nigeria women’s national team head coach Justine Madugu has explained his decision to omit star forward Asisat Oshoala from the Super Falcons squad set to face the Cameroon women’s national football team in an upcoming double-header friendly.

The decision generated debate among supporters, particularly because Oshoala has been in impressive form with Saudi side Al-Hilal Women FC. However, Madugu insists the move is strategic and focused on long-term preparation.

Why Asisat Oshoala Was Dropped from Super Falcons Squad

The Super Falcons are preparing for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), scheduled to take place in Morocco later in March.

While naming his 25-player squad, Madugu opted to leave out Oshoala and instead handed opportunities to other attacking players, including Gift Monday. According to the coach, the friendlies against Cameroon provide a platform to assess squad depth.

“It’s a friendly match, and it’s important we give others the opportunity to show what they can do,” Madugu explained. “We all want the best for the country. We know what she can offer, so the two friendlies are an opportunity to see others too. It’s a chance for us to see new things.”

He further clarified that Oshoala remains part of the team’s long-term plans and that there should be no controversy surrounding her temporary exclusion.

Super Falcons and the WAFCON 2026 Challenge

Nigeria will head into WAFCON as defending champions. However, this edition presents a tougher challenge as the tournament has expanded from 12 to 16 teams.

Madugu acknowledged that the draw demands full concentration and respect for every opponent. Nigeria has been grouped alongside:

• Malawi women’s national football team

• Zambia women’s national football team

• Egypt women’s national football team

“Any team that qualifies for a tournament like WAFCON deserves respect,” Madugu said. “No team can be underrated considering the development happening across the continent.”

Rising Standards in African Women’s Football

The Super Falcons coach also highlighted the rapid growth of women’s football in Africa. Increased investment, better infrastructure, and more players competing professionally abroad have raised the level of competition significantly.

In the past, dominance was often limited to a few West African nations. Today, national teams across the continent are improving tactically and physically, making tournaments like WAFCON more competitive than ever.

Madugu emphasized that Nigeria cannot rely solely on past success. Instead, continuous improvement and squad evaluation are necessary to remain at the top.

Strategic Preparation Ahead of Cameroon Friendlies

With WAFCON only weeks away, the Super Falcons have chosen competitive match practice as their primary preparation method. The two friendlies against Cameroon in Yaoundé — scheduled for Saturday and the following Tuesday — will serve as the team’s final build-up phase.

Madugu noted that defending a title brings added pressure.

“We will be going as defending champions. It is not going to be easy. Retaining the trophy is always more difficult than winning it for the first time.”

The coach stressed that Nigeria must now compete against 15 other nations determined to dethrone them.

Final Thoughts

The omission of Asisat Oshoala may have surprised many fans, but the explanation provided by Justine Madugu reflects calculated squad management rather than controversy.

By rotating players and testing new combinations in friendly matches, the Super Falcons aim to strengthen their depth and tactical flexibility ahead of WAFCON 2026.

Oshoala remains one of Nigeria’s most influential players, and her experience will likely be crucial during the tournament itself. For now, however, the focus is on broadening the squad’s capabilities and preparing for what promises to be a challenging continental campaign.