Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has explained Esther Okoronkwo’s decision to shoot instead of passing to Asisat Oshoala during Nigeria’s 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
In the closing stages of the match, Okoronkwo had an opportunity to level the score after breaking into a dangerous position, with Oshoala also available in a better position.
Madugu, however, played down suggestions that the incident could create division within the team, explaining that Okoronkwo likely believed she had a chance to score when she opted to attempt the finish.
“I’m sure she felt she could score. That was why she made the attempt. She probably could have passed the ball to Asisat, who was in a better position to score. That is not to say there is any division. There is no division,” he said in a post-match press conference.
The coach also dismissed any suggestion of disagreements within the Super Falcons camp, insisting that the players remain united despite the disappointing quarter-final defeat.
“To the best of my knowledge, there is no problem in the camp. There are no camps within the team. They are all on the same page. They have been working together for Nigeria. It’s just one of those things that happened in the course of a game.”
The defeat ended Nigeria’s bid to defend their Wafcon crown and denied the ten-time African champions an automatic place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria will now have another opportunity to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
The Super Falcons will face South Africa on Thursday, August 13, in the Wafcon play-off.
The match is part of the qualification route for Africa’s two places in the intercontinental play-offs for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Wale Adejumo
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