₦airaland Forum

Nigeria Loses out on Ayooluwa Oke - Denver Summit.

https://www.facebook.com/61571653274606/videos/mile-high-meet-ayo-oke-/1518290662789483/

https://www.allforxi.com/soccer/12631/denver-summit-defender-ayo-oke-earns-first-ever-call-up-with-the-uswnt-avery-patterson-houston-dash-out-due-to-illness-nwsl

Ayo had just moved from Pachuca in the Mexican League (where she played alongside Ohale and for the past 2 seasons) to new NWSL expansion team, Denver Summit. Her transfer fee was $450K], the highest ever for a player coming in from the Mexican league. (Source: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/47445806/nwsl-denver-sign-ayo-oke-pachuca-sources)

Now she has just been invited to the USWNT.

I am so pissed!!!
This young lady would have added uunbeliveable depth to the Super Falcons. She is comfortable playing a RB, LB, DM and winger, with blazing speed and high footballing intelligence. I would rate her above Alozie and Nicole Payne right now.
This is someone we easily could have invited for the WAFCON last year, as she wanted to play for the Super Falcons and identified as Naija, but the 'wise guys' in the glass house and that overrated coach decided to invite 2 homebased nobodies instead.

Oh well...

For me, the hierarchy is as follows:
1. C. Nnadozie
2. C. Erharbor
3. M. Ayodele

None of those chunky keepers that Magudu has tried to foist on the team come anywhere close.

Deltamani:
Na that one be the problem so because they ain’t even bothered about having a good backup goalie for Chiamaka Nnadozie, they just believe Nnadozie will be available all the time and I pray it remains like that because the day goalkeeping wahala go sup their yansh go open…


Mojisola Is good enough to be lookout for

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF63Fpv51wQ?feature=shared

Was really impressed with Rofiat's performance on the left flank.
Incredible pace and really matured performance - I would argue she seems the part and I see no reason why she should be left out of the SF.
Of course, we have a poor coach in charge, who is just a stooge for the egg heads at the NFF who just want to exact control over the ladies.

BascoVanVeli:
London City vs Brighton
Rofiat vs Chiamaka
https://www.youtube.com/live/mHsxLCH5ZaU?si=PyiyKtYVInWAgvgo

Not sure why you feel that she will choose Cape Verde.
She is a Naija girl thru and thru.

Deltamani:
I see this girl playing for Cape Verde 🇨🇻

Mojisola Ayodele

Really feel for Nicole.
She was on the ascendancy when the ACL hit.

Hope she gets a club where she can really rebound and hit the heights that she was supposed to.
Wishing her all the very best!

Deltamani:
Three Nigeria Internationals Depart their clubs..

1• Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville FC)
2• Nicole Payne (Portland Thorns)
3• Chiamaka Okwuchukwu ( San Diego Waves)

Anticipating where they’re heading for the 2026 season, as this 3 players were mainly injured last season..

• Kanu ( A nagging Knee injury)
• Payne ( ACL )
• Okwuchukwu ( Lower leg injury )

That's not going to happen.
The coach probably has not even heard of them and then when the inevitable happens, he will tell you that he 'tried to reach them 1 or 2 times, but didn't get them'.
This NFF is by far, the most incompetent and useless that has ever run Nigerian football.
Miss the days of Sunny Dankaro, Omeruah and others who were serious about Nigeria taking its place on the world football map.
The guys there now are clueless!

Deltamani:
Imagine the Coaching crew bringing back Tochi for the 2026 WAFCON just because they can’t get a Capable back up for Nnadozie. If the ones they have been parading up and down are good enough they won’t go back to Mama Tochi.


I just want that Assurance of if Chiamaka Nnadozie isn’t available at least any of the other two are Capable of doing the job.

This Mojisola AYODELE 🇺🇸 and Comfort Erhabor 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 should be looked out for with all seriousness.

Not surprised.
I never rated either of them that high and not shocked by where they currently are.
As the old adage goes: water always finds its level.

naptu2:
I was amazed when I saw all of them in the video. Esther Onyenezide, Opeyemi Ajakaye, etc.

Agree.
Also, not every one is cut out for college education, as college life could be very challenging, especially with getting good grades to maintain a scholarship.
Unfortunately, IF some of these young ladies didn't have the right foundational training, they will have a tough time getting into a top D1 school which would boost their marketability and being picked up by a good club. The import of a good D1 school is highlighted by a real good player, Esther Okoronkwo, who couldn't get into a 'good' club and had to take the 'nomad' route to get to where she is today.

BascoVanVeli:
Chioma didn't grow up poor though. He dad is well to do in Malawi.

I will replace Cynthia Akwasi on the list with the NJIT (New Jersey Institute of Technology) keeper, Mojisola AYODELE
She is a senior and currently playing NCAA D1.
5’9” and quite solid.

Will actually pick her over Medinat and rank her as #3, with Comfort Erhabor as #2 behind Nnadozie.

Deltamani:
Some goalkeepers that need to be looked out for, and they’re all 26yrs and below
1• Rita Akarekor 🇹🇿
2• Comfort Erhabor 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
3• Medinat Lawal 🇺🇸
4• Cynthia Akwasi 🇰🇿
5• Onyinyechi Okeke 🇮🇱

This is not about bias...the facts are the facts.

1. As stated, she was on Randy's radar in 23/24 season, but she had hoo-hum stats (29 app, 5 goals, 0 assists) in comparison to other strikers, like Uchenna Kanu and Chiwendu Ihezuo who Randy opted to invite to prosecute the Olympics, and was correct in leaving her out to improve.

2. The Algeria game could have been a statement of intent on the part of Madugu. He never called her or let her know he was in her plans and offered to invite her for the France game. There was no contact. I also forgot to mention there was the game against Cameroon, played in Abeokuta, where players from the US and Europe were invited and came. No invite was extended to Edna.

3. If he was really serious about her, that was the perfect opportunity for him to have invited her. She was in good form at the beginning of the season and was posting numbers. This was the time to see how she would have performed against credible opposition and flying from Spain to France would have been easy and cost effective. Neither him nor the NFF bothered to call her. Instead, he took some scrubs from Nigeria to France (cost ineffective) and most of them sat on the bench. Wasted opportunity.

4. Reached out to her 'severally'? That is hogwash. Even if he did, it was way too late - he farfed around till that opportunity was blown. Spain had already taken up pole position. And no, she was still very much interested in playing for the Super Falcons at that time.

5. Whichever way you want to look at this, Madugu dropped the ball!

lovewins:
Again you're letting your bias shape the narrative. Now you have at least reviewed the timeline downwards to 1 year instead of 2.

First, Randy also had opportunities to invite Edna to the team and he didn't. Remember Edna first came to light strongly in the 2022/2023 season when she had a great season scoring 10+ goals with a poor team. I believe it was also about that time she expressed her interest to play for the falcons and there were numerous opportunities for that to happen as we played the most friendlies at the time but it sadly didn't.

2. You can't seriously include the Algeria friendly as an opportunity for Edna to have been included. If I remember correctly this was during the period there were uncertainty as to who was coach of the Super Falcons. Randy was still contractually obligated till September and the NFF were I serious about reaching a decision. The November friendly with Algeria was out together last minute and to prove that 80% of the players that participated were either homebased or club shopping at the time. Only Ajibade, Nnadozie, Demehin and Monday Gift joined them. This was put together shabbily and in my opinion doesn't count.

3. The next real opportunity for him to have invited her in November against France in November. Much of the Olympics roster returned at this time, but in hindsight this was probably when the NFF insisted on the homebased quota to roster formation, something they tried to achieve with Randy during the Olympics but thankfully didn't succeed.

4. Most important to me is the fact that he mentioned he has reached out to her severally and she's been posting her. This could be as far as November last year, we wouldn't know. Except you know for certain that Edna was still open to playing for us as recent as June this year, there's no way to conclude attempts weren't made. She could have had a change of heart as far back as mid 2024, point is we aren't privy to any of this to make that judgement.

5. You know I don't think Madugu is the right coach for the Falcons and I right criticise if when due, I just do not think this is one of them.

@ BascoVanVeli also ...

1. Edna was on Randy's radar, but he resigned in Sept 2024. We had just finished the Olympics, so there was little or no opportunity to onboard her prior to the Olympics. Also, she had a hoo-hum 2023/2-24 season with Granada before the Olympics and Spain was not on the Radar.

2. Madugu had Four (4) friendlies in 2024 after the Olympics - two against Algeria (Oct 2024), one against France (Nov 2024) and one against Ghana (July 2025). Edna had a very good start to the 2024/2025 season and still had very strong desires to play for Nigeria. Madugu was aware of this (while being part of Randy's coaching staff) and opted to use some home based players for the 4 games, in addition to the FB players invited. Perfect opportunity to invite Edna, considering her very strong start to the 2024/2025 season with Granada, but he dropped the ball.

3. Again, he had an opportunity to fully engage Edna prior to the WAFCON, especially since he opted to drop Monday and considering Edna's very strong finish to the Granada 2024/2025 season. He opted to go for his HBs and brought on the Okafor girl, who didn't even see a single minute of action. Again, another fluffed opportunity. After the WAFCON, Bayern decided to sign Edna, on account of her brilliant performance in the concluded season. Spain's radar engaged. Edna was loaned back to Real Sociedad. Opportunity lost.

This is SOLELY on Madugu, as far as I am concerned.

lovewins:
I was speaking strictly on a policy perspective, of course this only applies when a system works. On Madugu, again I'll give the benefit of doubt taking into cognizance his last interview. If anything he said is true, he has apparently reached out to her severally (we do not know what the timeline is) and so can't fault him particularly if this was Edna's decision. Madugu's approach and Edna's reluctance could have been as far back as a year ago. Without knowledge of the timeline we can't fairly hold him to account.

I am sorry, but I vehemently disagree. It was Madugu's fault - 100%.

In a sane world, the NFF was supposed to engage her. But we all know that those currently in the NFF lack the intellect to do that. So, the onus falls on the coach.
Out of curiosity, who was personally responsible for bringing in the plethora of talent we currently have in the SF? I am talking of the likes of Jen Echegini, Esther Okoronkwo, Michelle Alozie or even Rinsola Babajide and Nicole Payne? All Randy Waldrum. Yet, this coach was given Edna Imade on a platter of gold and he chose to sneeze at it. All his fault.

There was absolutely NO reason why Edna could not have been invited to the France game. None, whatsoever. He blew it, pure and simple.

lovewins:
There are other things to fault Magudu for, Edna's invitation in my opinion isn't one of them. I don't think it will be fair to put this chiefly on him. The NFF is primarily responsible for this, cause the onus was on them to see to it that a budding star like Edna at the very least played the required number if games necessary to wade off other offers that may come are way. They can as a policy decision do this for stars they believe would be potentially important the program irrespective of whatever a coach's decision may be and this only happens with a functioning technical department.

For example, if as a federation, they've identified that a player (in this case Edna) may play a key role, maybe not immediately but sometimes in the future, to the growth of the Super Falcons. The policy will be to invite the player and ensure the coach (irrespective of who they are) plays said player, even if for 5 minutes, the required number if game necessary to lock them in, so they can put eligibility to rest. Coaches may decide not to invite said players if they do not fit into their immediate plans once this is achieved.

This was how the Super Eagles lost out on Eberechi Eze by the way. We could have locked him in and the rest would have been history.

If for

I am talking about 2 years ago, when Oshoala was still at Barca.
She definitely was not on the Spanish FA radar, because she was all gong-ho about playing for Nigeria and even on her Granada page, she identified as Nigerian.
There was communication between her and someone familiar with this effort and I can confidently state that she wanted to play for the Super Falcons.

BascoVanVeli:
We don't know that Edna was not on Spain's rader then? Plus that was during her breakout season, I am pretty sure they were keeping tabs on her by then.

A classless move on his part with regards Gift Monday.
It is obvious that he has a personal vendetta against her. His excuse about 'better players' is a load of BS!
He also did the same for Toni Payne, freezing her out, after the Tunisia game, simply because she challenged his strategic approach to the game.

Regarding Edna, Magudu had the perfect opportunity to invite her to the game against France, but chose to ignore her and taking some of his HB scrubs instead. At that time, Edna was not yet in the spotlight or on the Spanish radar at the time, and was very enthusiastic about playing for the SF. Of course, he botched it and then everything changed when Bayern Munich signed her.
Now, he is saying that he tried calling her and she is not picking up. Why should she?

BascoVanVeli:
I think the risk of not getting game time goes both ways. We just saw what Madugu did with Gift Monday.

I have a contrary view...
This will send a message to African countries that they need to take female football more seriously and pay attention to their rankings. That is what all the other countries around the world are doing and we always see African teams at the tail end of the FIFA rankings because they take female football for granted.
Hopefully, this will drive Africa countries to play more friendlies during the FIFA calendar windows to not only strengthen their squads, but also amass FIFA ranking points.

Deltamani:
You have a good point but again CAF isn’t fair enough considering there’s still enough time to go into playoffs just as the European and other continents do for them all to have an equal chance of qualifying..

In all it Favour’s our fellow West Africans ( Mali and Cote’d’ivoire ) and neighbors Cameroon. So is a big win and time to prove to CAF that West Africa rules when it comes to Africa Women’s Football..

Sorry, I might have missed that.
If that's the case, what on earth was Magudu doing with Taiwo Afolabi when you had a Favour Emmanuel that is a million times better and offers much more grit and intelligent play in the midfield?
That man is a joke!

Deltamani:
I thought I updated this page long ago concerning Favour Emmanuel return to Lokomotive Moscow 🇷🇺

As a true daughter of the soil, she didn't want to embarrass her elder, 'mommy wa'

Bascovanveli2:
Why couldn't Ashleigh stop her when they faced in Saudi?

@Deltamani,
On another note, any word on Favor Emmanuel?
Where is she and whatever happened to her after she abruptly terminated her contract with San Diego Wave?

Answering your questions:
1. No. He had no strategic ideas on how to break the Beninois team, pure and simple. Starting an over-the-hill Oshoala in attack demonstrated his questionable tactical ability.
2. They also had a relatively poor game in the 1st leg.
3. I doubt if they will win #11 under this man, that's my opinion.

Deltamani:
Super Falcons head coach, Justine Madugu has apologized to the fans of the Super Falcons for failing to produce a result that meets up with the expectations of Nigerians after the team's 1-1 draw against Benin Republic. He remarked that there is always a standard to which the team is expected to perform in games, however, the Super Falcons were not able to perform as such, labelling it an "off day" for the ladies but then they will see the result as a wake up call to the fact that there is more works to be done.

Super Falcons captain, Rasheedat Ajibade emphasized that the team did not at any point understimate the capabilities of their counterparts Benin Republic in their WAFCON qualification game that ended 1-1 at the MKO Abiola Arena, Abeokuta. She maintained that even in Togo, where the two teams played the forst leg of the double-header, they knew the Amazons would be tougher as getting a result against the African Champions would mean a lot to them. She admitted that the Falcons did not particularly play their best game but noted that it was an opportunity to detect their loopholes and as well correct them ahead of subsequent games.

Benin Republic women’s head coach, Abdoulaye Ouzerou has said that he expected his side to win their second leg tie against Nigeria. Speaking in a translated speech after the game, the gaffer said he always believed his team had what it takes to win, and he tried to instill that notion in his players. Overall, he said he is satisfied with the result, but would’ve be more satisfied when they start winning.

• Do you accept Coach Madugu's apology?
• Did Nigeria underestimate Benin?
• What must the team improve upon to secure an 11th title in Morocco?

The decline in Ajibade's game is really shocking. She has been rather poor in this game.
Not to mention her poor performances at club level for PSG.

These changes should have been done in the 60th min, not the 75th.
Congrats to Joy Omewa for making her long awaited debut for the Super Falcons

Debbie just saved Nigeria from a Benin goal, off a Demehin turnover.

This kid is just a brilliant player.
Her being at Washington Spirit really improved her field generalship.
Really stoked for her.

Bascovanveli2:
Deborah Abiodun has turned into okocha all of a sudden

That's even going too far up the hierarchy.
She is not even in the league of the following: Esther Onyenezide, Suliat Abideen, Peace Efih, Favor Emmanuel, Chioma Olise, or even Super Falcon-in-waiting, Ayooluwa Oke.
Sorry, but she has no business being in this squad. None, whatsoever.

dkay51:
A number of times, Ashleigh passes to her, runs ahead to receive the return but she's not able to and loses the ball and Ashleigh is caught out of position, we would have been punished if it were a lethal team.

So who would you say she is better than at the moment? Ucheibe? Toni Payne?? Echegini

Let's be saying the truth abeg

Nothing to dog-walk, if you watched the pre-match conference comments by Nnadozie.
She did state that several of the Beninoise players ply their trade in the French Ligue 1 and are no pushovers.

lovewins:
Not a bad first half seeing we are ahead, but also not a great one. We should be dog-walking this Benin team. Good so far but not overly impressed.

I noticed that also... she has really lost a step or two.
Whatever happened to that Isah lady who had a few cameos in the WAFCON?
I thought she was impressive and potentially, one for the future.

lovewins:
Ohale has tried but I think it's time she takes a back seat. I'll rather play Ucheibe in defence Instead. She's been beated twice and it's obvious she's no match for that Benin Striker's pace.

Sorry, but I have to disagree with you.
Truth is she is WAY too lightweight.
I mean, how many times has she been bundled off the ball? She lacks any power in her shooting, which are mostly directionless.
She really is out of her league here as there is nothing really exciting about her game. .

Bascovanveli2:
Quìt the cap. She is having a great debut. Combining well with Ashleigh and She bas created a number of opportunities

Oh wow!
Benin just hit the post, off the parry of a shot deflected by Nnadozie. Great save!

The broadcaster was busy showing a replay of a foul when Esther Okoronkwo scored the second goal.
Nice assist by Abiodun.

It might be a stretch for Okoronkwo to win the W-APOY, considering the exploits of the others you listed.
Not to mention the fact that Ajibade won the WAFCON player of the tournament, even though really didn't do anything else at club level.
Okoronkwo, on the other hand, had been excelling in the Canadian league.
It's a tough one to guess who will win it.

Deltamani:
You’re sounding as if Nigeria can’t win awards or tournaments just because it’s hosted in Morocco..!

Football all round Club and Country
Esther Okoronkwo is no.1 in Africa right now…

In terms of club alone then Temwa Chawinga is no.1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd3VpPCvKvU?si=Aogk4j0YLrcAzgpe

Deltamani:
She debut for Portsmouth in the English Women's Cup against Brighton & Hove Albion FC in September 2025.

She had a great game, you can watch it on YouTube. But for now I will definitely pick her as 3rd choice for the Super Falcons considering the environment she’s in right now where there’s proper training and competition..

Thanks for the video creation.
I guess that should teach me not to watch Telemundo highlights when I am half asleep - I must have dozed off when she came on and it is obvious that she had a good game and complimented her team quite well.
Ayooluwa Oke was quite impressive with her overall ball skills and looks like a decent prospect for the Super Falcons.

BascoVanVeli:
Chiwendu Ihezuo, Osinachi Ohale and Ayo Oke vs Orlando Pride @ AkinDS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dzy7oQL7lM?si=QnyNKPwPSepwdvw-