When word got out that Oshoala was to report to camp on Thursday along with the other players, without any explanation from Waldrum or the Nigeria Football Federation, tongues wagged.
The striker for Bay FC is still a vital member of the Falcons and is anticipated to take the lead both on and off the pitch in the doubleheader. Having won the Africa Women’s Player of the Year award a record six times, she is the most renowned female athlete on the continent.
A coach may choose to start a player who arrived late to camp if he believes the player is essential and ready to play.
Nigeria needs to do well in this match to earn a spot in the Olympics after losing out on the previous three
The most important thing is for the coach to be able to feature any player who can help the team win.”
Mbachu’s claims were supported by retired midfielder Maureen Mmadu, who played for Nigeria for 101 appearances between 1993 and 2011.
Mmadu said, “It will not be the first time a coach will feature a player in a match despite arriving late to camp.” It is dependent upon how significant the player is and whether or not they are required.
Former Super Falcons players Stella Mbachu and Maureen Mmadu claim that team head coach Randy Waldrum alone decided whether to start latecomer Asisat Oshoala in Friday’s (today) Women’s Olympic Qualifying CAF first leg versus South Africa.
Oshoala, the recipient of the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award, has drawn harsh criticism on social media for arriving late to camp on Thursday in advance of today’s pivotal match against fierce rivals Banyana Banyana.
In separate interviews with The PUNCH, the Nigerian legends discussed their perspectives on the historic match at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
They stated that a coach could only choose whether to play or bench a player based on the individual’s fitness and value. “What the coach thinks of the player (Oshoala) matters more than what I want or what Nigerians want.” The coach understands that she might have a valid cause for being late to camp.
Mbachu, a former Falcons striker who scored 20 goals in 88 appearances for Nigeria between 1999 and 2014, stated that the coach needs to win the game. If Oshoala is healthy and can contribute to a win, the coach can go ahead and play her. If the outcome is not favourable.