WAFCON 2026: Madugu Drops Oshoala, Names 25-Player Squad for Cameroon Friendlies

The Nigeria women’s national football team, the Super Falcons, has announced its squad for a crucial two-match friendly series against their arch-rivals, the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon. Head Coach Justine Madugu has selected 25 players for the fixtures, which serve as vital preparatory games ahead of the final round of WAFCON 2026 qualifiers. The most significant omission from the list is the iconic forward Asisat Oshoala, a move that has sparked widespread discussion among fans and analysts regarding the team’s direction and selection policy.

Introduction: A New Era for the Super Falcons?

The announcement of any national team squad is a moment of analysis and speculation, but the latest list from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) carries heightened importance. With the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualification phase nearing its climax, these friendlies against Cameroon are not merely exhibition matches. They are a strategic audition for players, a testing ground for Coach Madugu’s preferred tactics, and a clear signal of the team’s evolving identity. The exclusion of Asisat Oshoala, Nigeria’s all-time leading scorer and a global icon in women’s football, is the defining story. This decision forces a reevaluation of the team’s attacking options and underscores Madugu’s intent to build a squad based on current form, system fit, and long-term project planning rather than solely on past glory. This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of the squad, the context of the Cameroon rivalry, the potential reasons behind key selections and omissions, and what this means for Nigeria’s WAFCON 2026 campaign.

Key Points at a Glance

• Squad Announcement: Coach Justine Madugu has named a 25-player roster for friendlies vs. Cameroon.
• Major Omission: Star striker Asisat Oshoala is the most high-profile player left out of the squad.
• Core Retained: Key figures like captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, and defender Ashleigh Plumptre are included.
• Veteran Presence: Experienced defenders Osinachi Ohale and Halimat Ayinde recall to strengthen the backline.
• Match Details: Both friendlies will be played in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Saturday, March 1, and Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
• WAFCON 2026 Context: Nigeria is drawn in Group C with Malawi, Zambia, and Egypt for the final tournament.

Background: The Rivalry and the Road to WAFCON 2026

The Nigeria-Cameroon Women’s Football Rivalry

The fixture between Nigeria’s Super Falcons and Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses is the most storied and intense rivalry in African women’s football. Both nations have dominated the continent for over two decades, sharing the majority of WAFCON titles. This history adds immense pressure and significance to every encounter, even a friendly. Matches are typically fiercely contested, physically demanding, and carry bragging rights that extend beyond the pitch. Playing these friendlies in Yaoundé, Cameroon’s capital, means the Super Falcons will face a hostile environment and a team eager to assert home advantage, providing an ideal simulation for the challenges they may face in competitive WAFCON 2026 qualifiers and the finals.

WAFCON 2026 Qualification Landscape

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Côte d’Ivoire, will feature 12 teams. Nigeria, as a traditional powerhouse, navigated the early qualifying rounds and is now focused on the final group stage. Being placed in Group C alongside Malawi, Zambia, and Egypt presents a mix of familiar and emerging opponents. While Nigeria is the group favorite, matches against Zambia (a consistent contender) and a determined Egyptian side will require peak performance. The friendlies against Cameroon, a team of similar pedigree, are perfectly tailored to gauge the squad’s readiness for this level of competition. Results and performances in Yaoundé will offer Coach Madugu critical data to finalize his plans for the decisive WAFCON 2026 qualifying matches later in the year.

Analysis: Decoding the 25-Player Squad

Coach Madugu’s selection reflects a blend of continuity, necessary recall, and a clear shift in personnel. The squad can be analyzed by position group and the narratives surrounding key inclusions and exclusions.

Goalkeepers: Stability and Competition

The choice between the posts remains a strong point for Nigeria. First-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC) is undisputed and leads the group. She is joined by Comfort Erhabor (Rivers Angels) and Anderline Mgbechi (Bayelsa Queens), providing a solid domestic league contingent. The inclusion of Fatima Oloko adds depth. This department shows stability, with no major surprises.

Defenders: Experience Meets Emerging Talent

This is where the squad sees notable changes. The recall of veteran center-back Osinachi Ohale (Madrid CFF) is a significant move. Her experience, leadership, and organizational skills are invaluable, especially for high-stakes away games. She partners with the ever-reliable Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash), who offers defensive solidity and composure. The full-back positions are dynamic. Ashleigh Plumptre (Leicester City) provides attacking width and defensive work rate on the right, while Olubunmi Oluwatotosin Demehin (Rivers Angels) and Shukurat Oladipo (Rivers Angels) offer energy and domestic form. The return of Halimat Ayinde (UD Granadilla Tenerife) adds another layer of seasoned defensive midfield/center-back versatility. Youngsters like Glory Ogbonna (Rivers Angels) and Sikiratu Isah (Bayelsa Queens) represent the future, while Christy Ucheibe (FC Robo) and Chidinma Okeke provide technical quality from the back.

Midfield: Engine Room with a New Look

With the retirement of legendary midfielder Ngozi Ebere Okobi and the gradual phase-out of other long-term figures, the midfield is in a transitional phase. The consistent Halimatu Ayinde is the anchor, expected to control tempo and provide defensive cover. Jennifer Echegini (Paris FC), a dynamic and creative midfielder, is a crucial player for the future and was rightly included. The selection of Deborah Abiodun (Peregrine FC) is a positive nod to domestic form and a player who has been impressive in the Nigerian Women’s Football League (NWFL). Precious Christopher (Rivers Angels) offers tenacity and box-to-box energy. The notable absence here is not a named player but the need for a pure, creative playmaker to consistently unlock tight defenses—a role the team has historically relied on.

Forwards: Depth Tested, Oshoala’s Absence Looms Large

This is the section that has drawn the most attention. The forward line is led by captain and talisman Rasheedat Ajibade (Manchester United). Her pace, dribbling, and goal-scoring ability make her the undisputed focal point. She is supported by a mix of options: the physical presence of Chinwendu Ihezuo (Changchun Zhuoyue), the pace and trickery of Gift Monday (Bayelsa Queens), and the reliable finishing of Ijeoma Okoronkwo (Rivers Angels). New call-ups like Omorinsola Babajide (Rivers Angels), Folashade Ijamilusi (Rivers Angels), and Joy Ogochukwu Omeha (Nasarawa Amazons) represent a push to integrate more NWFL-based talent and provide competition. The glaring absence of Asisat Oshoala means the team lacks its most proven, world-class goal-scorer and a player who can single-handedly change a game. This places immense creative and finishing pressure on Ajibade and requires the supporting forwards to step up significantly in both the Cameroon friendlies and future competitive matches.

The Oshoala Factor: Why Was She Dropped?

While the NFF and coaching staff have not issued an official reason, analysis points to several converging factors. First, injury and fitness: Oshoala has had a challenging season with club and country, managing niggling injuries that may have affected her sharpness. Second, tactical system fit: Coach Madugu’s preferred style may emphasize high-intensity pressing, rapid transitions, and collective pressing over a system built around a lone, static center-forward. Third, and most critically, form and current level. The coach may believe that other forwards (Ajibade, Ihezuo, Monday) are in better current form or offer different, more suitable attributes for his project. This decision, while controversial, is not unprecedented in international football, where coaches often make bold calls to instill discipline and signal a new direction. It is a high-risk, high-reward strategy that will be judged on results.

Practical Advice for Fans and Observers

For those following the Super Falcons’ journey to WAFCON 2026, this squad announcement provides several key takeaways and things to watch for during the Cameroon friendlies.

What to Watch in the Friendlies

• Captain Ajibade’s Role: With Oshoala out, Rasheedat Ajibade will be the primary offensive catalyst. Watch how she handles the increased responsibility—will she play as a striker, a winger, or a free-roaming #10?
• Defensive Solidity: The pairing of Ohale and Alozie, with Ayinde shielding them, will be tested against Cameroon’s potent attack. Their communication and organization are paramount.
• Midfield Creativity: Can Jennifer Echegini or Deborah Abiodun provide the incisive passes that the forward line will lack without Oshoala’s hold-up play?
• New Integrations: How do the new NWFL-based forwards (Babajide, Ijamilusi, Omeha) cope with international pace and pressure? This is their audition.
• Set-Pieces: With a potentially less potent open-play attack, well-drilled set-pieces (corners, free-kicks) could become a crucial goal source. Execution here will be vital.

How to Follow the Matches

The two friendlies will be played in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Broadcast details for Nigerian audiences are typically announced by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and its broadcast partners closer to match day. Historically, major Nigeria national team matches are broadcast on channels like SuperSport (now part of DStv) and streamed via the NFF’s official platforms or partner streaming services. Fans should monitor the official NFF social media handles (@thenff) and reputable sports news outlets like Daily Post Nigeria, Punch, and Complete Sports for confirmed transmission details.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why was Asisat Oshoala dropped from the Super Falcons squad?

While no official reason has been given, the decision by Coach Justine Madugu is widely attributed to a combination of factors: potential concerns over her recent injury and fitness levels, a tactical shift that may not prioritize her specific playing style, and the coach’s belief that other forwards are in better current form. It represents a clear move towards building a team based on the manager’s specific system and immediate readiness.

Is this squad strong enough to qualify for WA