National Teams
WAFCON 2024: Madugu defends Babajide’s limited role, hints at final appearance
By Wale Mustapha
Nigeria head coach Justin Madugu has addressed the limited playing time of forward Rinsola Babajide at the ongoing 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), describing the decision as a technical one rooted in team strategy.
Babajide made an early impact in Nigeria’s campaign, scoring and assisting in the Falcons’ 3-0 group-stage win over Tunisia. However, the former Liverpool striker has since seen minimal minutes, with only a brief cameo against Algeria in the quarter-finals.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s final against hosts Morocco, Madugu emphasized that selection decisions are made based on team dynamics rather than individual form.
“It’s a team thing, not about an individual; it’s about the team,” Madugu said. “The fact that she has not been on the field of play does not mean she has not been playing well.”
The coach explained that Babajide continues to play a vital role off the pitch, particularly in boosting morale and contributing to team unity.
“She has been instrumental in motivating the players, trying to get them to understand what is at stake,” Madugu added. “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.”
Madugu hinted that the 26-year-old could be in contention for a more prominent role in the final.
“She could have a role to play tomorrow,” he said.
Babajide’s reduced role has drawn questions from fans and analysts, given her early tournament contributions, but Madugu’s remarks suggest her presence remains significant—even when not on the pitch.
Nigeria will face Morocco on Saturday in Rabat as they aim to reclaim the continental title.
