According to reports, Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala has been ruled out of the ongoing 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Oshoala suffered a Grade 2 medial ligament strain in the sixth minute of Monday’s 2-1 loss to Banyana Banyana and will be out for at least five weeks.
According to a statement from the Nigeria Football Federation’s Communication Department, the 27-year-old will be out of action for two to three weeks, with another one or two weeks for recovery.
The Barcelona Feminine forward is set to leave Morocco on Thursday (today) after her club’s doctors advised her to return to Spain.
The Falcons face leaders Botswana, who defeated Burundi 4-2 on Monday night, in their second Group C game on Thursday (today).
Former Arsenal Ladies forward Oshoala, who recently won Spain’s Pichichi award after scoring 20 league goals for Barcelona Feminine, has been plagued by thigh and knee injuries in the past nine months.
Meanwhile, Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum declined comments on his striker’s absence, as the nine-time record champions prepare for their second game.
The American said, “We are definitely going to make some changes from our first game. The atmosphere in camp is good and we have regrouped. We want to win our next game.”
Nigeria currently sit third in Group C behind Botswana and second-place South Africa, who both won their opening games.
Oshoala is expected to receive a medal if the Falcons clinch their 10th WAFCON title.