Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has dismissed concerns over Asisat Oshoala’s early exit during Nigeria’s emphatic 6-2 victory over Egypt at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), saying the substitution was purely a tactical decision.
The six-time CAF Women’s Player of the Year was replaced just before half-time despite opening the scoring from the penalty spot in the 21st minute after winning the spot-kick herself. The unexpected substitution sparked questions about whether the striker had suffered an injury.
Addressing the issue after the match, Madugu clarified that Oshoala was not taken off because of a fitness problem but to maintain the team’s high-intensity style of play.
“Actually, it was not much of an injury, but we felt the energy level was dropping a little. We planned to play with a high intensity, and we felt the energy level had dropped a little, allowing the Egyptians to settle at the back,” the coach explained.
He added that the technical crew wanted to keep Egypt under constant pressure and prevent the North Africans from becoming comfortable in possession.
“We didn’t want them to settle so much at the back, and it was not really working the way we had expected. That forced the change that we made,” Madugu said.
Oshoala has now scored two goals at this year’s tournament, adding her strike against Egypt to the winner she scored in Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Zambia during the group stage.
The experienced forward has enjoyed an outstanding WAFCON career, winning the continental title with the Super Falcons in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2024. The only edition in which she failed to score was the 2022 tournament in Morocco after suffering an injury in Nigeria’s opening match against South Africa.
As the Super Falcons continue their quest for a record-extending 11th WAFCON title, Oshoala recently assured Nigerians that the team remains fully focused despite early challenges in the competition.
The 31-year-old is expected to be available for Sunday’s quarter-final clash against Cameroon, where Nigeria will be aiming to book a place in the semi-finals and secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
