Barcelona's Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala has been ruled out of the remainder of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations tournament after suffering a knee injury in the opening day loss to fierce rivals South Africa.

The Super Falcons will lock horns against Botswana in the second group stage game of the African Women Cup Of Nations tomorrow Thursday, July 7th 2022 without their star player.

The 27-year-old suffered what was later described as a "grade two ligament injury" in the early minutes of the Group C clash but played through the pain barrier before being substituted for Francisca Ordega in the 81st minute.

It is never good to see your star forward limp off the pitch when the team is two-nil down.

Despite the loss, Nigerian fans were worried about the health of their four-time African Women's Footballer of the Year.

Every Nigerian supporter's worst nightmare was confirmed by the official Twitter handle of the Nigeria Football Federation.

A statement was released, saying Oshoala will miss the remaining action of the competition due to the injury and immediately return to Spain for medical attention.

"Sad news from NGSuper_Falcons camp: Top striker Asisat Oshoala is out of the ongoing WAFCON2022.

"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!"

Oshoala endured a season marred by injuries in the last campaign. She sustained a knee injury in February, which kept her out of the Falcons WAFCON qualifier match against Ivory Coast.

She recovered in time for Barcelona Femeni's Champions League cracker against Wolfsburg, only to pick another injury.

Despite missing a portion of the season through injuries, she clinched the Pichichi award with 20 goals in 19 league appearances.

Randy Waldrum now has his work cut out as he looks to bounce back from the opening day shocker. He would have to do it without the output of one of Africa's most decorated female footballers.

Onyekachi Uwanabi

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