The omission of Asisat Oshoala from Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Cameroon has generated debate, but head coach Justine Madugu insists there is no cause for alarm.
Oshoala was a surprise absentee from Madugu’s 25-player list despite being in impressive form for Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal Women.
Addressing the decision in an interview with Complete Sports, Madugu explained that the friendlies present an opportunity to assess other players within the squad.
“We all want the best for the country. We know what she can offer, so the two friendlies are an opportunity for us to see others too. It’s a chance for us to see new things.
“Asisat is still part of the team, and there should not be any uproar about her exclusion for the upcoming games.”
The 31-year-old forward remains one of the most experienced figures in the Super Falcons setup and is widely expected to play a leading role as Nigeria prepares for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
For now, Oshoala will focus on continuing her fine run of form at club level as she aims to secure her place in Nigeria’s star-studded squad for the continental showpiece.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
