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Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu defends excluding in-form Gift Monday from the 2025 WAFCON squad, citing tough choices and CAF rules as reasons behind his decision.
Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has responded to the surprise and criticism sparked by his decision to omit in-form forward Gift Monday from the 24-woman squad for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Monday, who has notched 14 goals and 4 assists across 28 matches for Tenerife and Washington Spirit this season, was widely expected to feature, leaving fans and pundits questioning the selection.
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“It’s Not an Easy Decision” — Madugu on Squad Selection
Madugu addressed the backlash, stating the emotional and complex nature of the process ahead of their game against Portugal.
“It’s not an easy decision for us; we are human beings. These players are all our players; they belong to the country,” he said in a YouTube video.
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He acknowledged the diversity of opinions, stating, “When you have to pick a certain number from the large pool of players, it’s not going to be an easy thing. No single person or two people can make decisions that everyone will agree with. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion.”
Thorough Analysis and CAF Regulations Guided Choices
The coach explained that selections were based on a meticulous evaluation of players’ strengths, weaknesses, and versatility.
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“We had to do a proper analysis of all the players - what are their strengths, what are their weaknesses. You also must look at other options - where can this player fit in,” Madugu said.
He clarified that Monday’s exclusion was not an isolated choice but part of broader constraints, including CAF’s squad size limits.
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“There were players we wanted in the team, but because CAF has regulations, you cannot take beyond the required number. That’s why we have to make do with what we have,” he added.
Balancing Experience and Strategy
Madugu also defended the inclusion of six-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala, who returns after a year’s absence, as a deliberate move to blend experience with tactical needs.
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His transparent comments shows the challenges of building a competitive squad for the July 5-26 tournament while satisfying fan expectations, as Nigeria aims for a record-extending 10th WAFCON title.
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