'I wasn't feeling too well' - Oshoala gives reasons for not starting Super Falcons' win v Matildas

The Super Falcons are now in a clear position to go through to the round of sixteen of the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup after coming from behind to stun co-hosts Australia 3-2 on Thursday afternoon, with Uchenna Kanu, Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala finding the net for the African powerhouse. 

The Matildas were hoping to finish on top of Group B with a win against the Super Falcons and go through with a game to spare but dropped to third with Nigeria on top by virtue of having scored more goals than the Canadians who also have four points after two games. 

Super Falcons manager Randy Waldrum had been sweating on the fitness of Asisat Oshoala and it meant the Barcelona striker, usually one of the first names on the teamsheet,  started on the bench against Australia. 

With the game tied at 1-1, the American football tactician threw caution to the wind by bringing on the five-time African Women's Footballer of the Year in the 63rd minute and the substitution proved to be a masterstroke as she found the back of the net less than ten minutes later to give the Super Falcons a crucial two-goal advantage. 

Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone after the thrilling win, Oshoala admitted that she dropped to the bench because she wasn't in tiptop condition and stressed that she's ready to put the team's goals ahead of personal aspirations. 

"This team has a lot to offer and everyone in the world has seen that today," the former Arsenal and Liverpool striker said. 

"Sometimes you have to make team decisions and to be honest with you I wasn't really feeling too well but I'm not a selfish person.

"If someone is not one hundred percent then other people can step up. And as you can see they all stepped up on the pitch today so it doesn't matter where I'm starting from, the most important thing is the team result."

With her strike against Australia, Oshoala has now joined the list of the top scoring African players in the Fifa Women's World Cup.

"Each tournament I go I want to make sure I give everything, fight for my teammates and fight for this badge. This is the best country in the world," Oshoala concluded. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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