Head coach of Nigeria’s Super Falcons Justin Madugu has addressed the exclusion of Washington Spirit forward Gift Monday from the final 24-player squad for the upcoming CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco.
Monday was widely expected to make the squad for Morocco, but according to Madugu, the Falcons coach explained that her omission was a result of intense competition for limited positions rather than a reflection of her ability or fitness.
Madugu, who spoke to journalists in Abuja before the team’s departure to Portugal for their pre-tournament training camp, acknowledged the difficulty of leaving out players like Monday, who featured in the last WAFCON and the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
“You see, it’s not an easy decision for us. We are human beings. These players are all our players, and they belong to the country,” Magudu said. “When you have to pick a certain number from a large pool of players, it’s not easy. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but before we arrived at the decision, we had to do a proper analysis of all the players in those positions, their strengths, their weaknesses, and their versatility.”
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The coach made it clear that Monday’s omission was not an isolated decision but part of a wider selection process that involved difficult choices.
“There were a lot of other players, even from the domestic league, that we had hoped to include. But CAF regulations restrict us to a specific number, and we had to work within that limit,“ he said. “If we begin to explain why each player was not picked, it might look like we are running them down, which is not fair.”
Madugu’s explanation comes days after Monday shared an emotional message on social media expressing her disappointment at being left out of the squad, while also vowing to return stronger and pledging her support for the team from home.
Although the 23-year-old has had a solid run with her club side in the United States, scoring consistently in the National Women’s Soccer League, her efforts were not enough to earn her a place in the final squad.
She was part of the team that finished fourth at the last WAFCON in Morocco and also featured in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Madugu, however, reiterated that the final list was about achieving the right balance between experience and youth. “When you are preparing a team, you have to think about the short term, the medium term, and the long term. That’s why we have a blend of experienced players and young talents,” he said.
Addressing the inclusion of several debutants in the squad, Magudu explained that some selections were based on tactical needs and the element of surprise.
“There are players who may not be well known but bring something different. We’ve monitored some of them, watched their tapes, and we believe they can add value. Sometimes, you need one or two players like that who can serve as a surprise element.”
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With expectations high ahead of the tournament, the coach reaffirmed the team’s ultimate goal. “We know our target. We are going for the trophy, that’s what doing well means for us. It is mission ‘X’ for each and every one of us,” he said.
Magudu also acknowledged the significance of the moment for indigenous coaches like himself. “We are not just representing ourselves; we are representing all Nigerian coaches. If we succeed, it opens the door for others to be trusted with this kind of responsibility. If we fail, it makes things difficult for the next coach coming behind.”
Despite the enormous task ahead, the former assistant coach insisted he is calm and focused. “I am not under pressure. There will be stories and distractions, but we are staying focused on what lies ahead.”