Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala has been ruled out of the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco due to injury as the team prepare to face Botswana in today’s must-win encounter for the AWCON defending champions.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) disclosed this on their Twitter handle on Wednesday.
The football governing body revealed the nature of the injury and also stated that Oshoala will travel back to Spain on Thursday.
“Sad news from @NGSuper_Falcons camp: Top striker Asisat Oshoala is out of the ongoing WAFCON 2022.
“She sustained a Grade 2 Medial Collateral Ligament strain in the game against South Africa. She is due back in Spain on Thursday. Get well quick Asisat!“
Meanwhile, the Falcons will hope to bounce back from their defeat to South Africa when they take on debutants and Group C leaders Botswana on Thursday. A win for Falcons will guarantee their continuation in the tournament with a match to spare in the group.
“There is no need for too many words. All we want to do is get the win against Botswana to restore our confidence, and then we can take things from there,” Captain Onome Ebi said on Wednesday.
First choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie returns against the Botswanans after missing the first match due to suspension, and the forced departure of Asisat Oshoala means the vibrant Gift Monday or Mexico-based Uchenna Kanu will start in the fore for the nine-time champions.
Midfield ace Rasheedat Ajibade, who scored the goal against the South Africans, is expected to again be the pivot as the Falcons search for early goals as from 9pm at the Prince Moulay Al-Hassan Stadium.
Coach Randy Waldrum could ring changes in some departments, with Glory Ogbonna likely to take her place at left back to allow the energetic Ashleigh Plumptre return to her accustomed role at centre-back alongside Captain Ebi, while Osinachi Ohale moves to right back.
Victory on Thursday will calm Nigerian nerves and allow the Falcons to look forward to Sunday’s encounter against Burundi with much confidence.
Speaking in the same vein, President of the Botswana Football Association MacLean Letshwiti says his country’s women’s national team, The Mares, can defeat the Super Falcons in Thursday’s Group C tie.
Debutants Botswana kicker off their campaign with a 4-2 win against Burundi in Group C on Monday while the Falcons lost 2-1 to South Africa.
A win for Botswana against the Falcons, who were lackluster against South Africa, would guarantee qualification into the quarter-finals.
And looking ahead to the match, Letshwiti called on his compatriots to rally behind the team believing they can achieve the impossible.
“Let me congratulate The Mares for putting an excellent shift at work, defeating Burundi by a convincing 4 – 2 score line at the ongoing Wafcon Tournament here in Morocco,” he said.
