'Babajide could have a role to play tomorrow' – Super Falcons coach defends selection policy

Super Falcons coach Justin Madugu has defended his squad selection ahead of Nigeria's Women's Africa Cup of Nations final clash with hosts Morocco.

Former Liverpool winger Rinsola Babajide has seen limited action since the group stage despite an impressive start to the tournament.

She opened her Wafcon account with a goal and an assist in Nigeria's 3–0 win over Tunisia on matchday one but was withdrawn at halftime.

Babajide retained her place for the second group fixture against Botswana but again only featured in the first 45 minutes.

She was handed a brief cameo, just 13 minutes, against Algeria in the final group match and has not featured at all in the knockout rounds, missing out entirely against Zambia and South Africa.

Speaking during the pre-match press conference before the Wafcon final, Madugu stressed the importance of team unity and rejected claims that Babajide's recent omissions were linked to her performance.

Asked about Babajide's limited minutes since the opening game against Tunisia, Madugu told reporters: "It's a team thing not about an individual, it's about the team. 

"The fact that she has not been on the field of play does not mean she has not been playing well.

"She has been instrumental to motivating the players, trying to get them to understand what is at stake.

"She has been fully supportive of everything that we do, and we are making our choices based on what we see and intend to do. She could have a role to play tomorrow."

In Nigeria's last two matches in Morocco, Madugu has opted for a front three of Folashade Ijamilusi, Chinwendu Ihezuo, and Esther Okoronkwo.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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