Madugu explains Oshoala’s early substitution in Egypt rout

Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has explained that Asisat Oshoala’s substitution before half-time in Nigeria’s 6-2 victory over Egypt at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) was a tactical decision rather than one prompted by injury.

The six-time CAF Women’s Player of the Year opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 21st minute after winning the spot-kick herself but was replaced shortly before the interval.

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Oshoala has now scored twice at the tournament, having also netted the winner in Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Zambia in the group stage.

Addressing concerns over the striker’s early exit, Madugu said the coaching crew made the change to maintain the team’s intensity.

“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.

“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,” he said after the match.

Oshoala has won four WAFCON titles with Nigeria, lifting the trophy in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2024. She has also scored in every edition of the tournament she has featured in, except the 2022 championship, where an injury in the opening match against South Africa ended her campaign.

As Nigeria continue their pursuit of a record-extending 11th WAFCON title, the 31-year-old is expected to be available for Sunday’s quarter-final clash against Cameroon.

Victory over the Indomitable Lionesses would move the Super Falcons into the semi-finals and keep them on course for another continental crown.