‘We need to ask why Monday is being snubbed’ - Frustrated fans question Madugu over missing Super Falcons player

Nigeria’s WAFCON winner Justine Madugu has come under heavy criticism from Nigerians following the omission of in-form NWSL star Gift Monday from his latest Super Falcons list.

As reported by Pulse Sports Nigeria, Madugu has released a killer 21-player squad as his African champions look set to start the journey to defend their WAFCON crown.

The final list released through the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, and made public via the Super Falcons account, features established superstars Asisat Oshoala, Esther Okoronkwo, Chiamaka Nnadozie and new star, Joy Omewa.

But the glaring absence of the Washington Spirit forward has dominated social media discussions, with many questioning the coach’s selection criteria despite Monday's record-breaking season in the United States.

With the squad announced, all is now set for the game between the Falcons and Benin, who will be hoping to avenge the heavy defeat suffered by the male counterparts against Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

Following the release of the 21-woman squad, featuring six forwards, five midfielders, and seven defenders, which also includes skipper of the team, Rasheedat Ajibade, who scored her first goal for new club PSG in a recent Champions League defeat, focus remains on the absent Gift.

Monday 23, has been a standout performer for the Washington Spirit this season, registering a superb 11 goals and two assists in 24 matches.

Her tally includes eight goals and two assists in just 13 starts in the league, making her joint-second top-scoring African striker in the league, a run that saw her make NWSL history with a recent hat-trick. Just hours before the squad announcement, she scored against Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Gift last featured for the Super Falcons in a November 2024 friendly against France, where she assisted Nigeria’s only goal in a 2-1 defeat.

The squad announcement was met with immediate protests from fans, who took to the comment section to voice their frustration, with famous photojournalist Pooja, leading the charge.

“We need to ask why Monday Gift is being snubbed for the Super Falcons. She has broken records in the US, the best African striker in that league with a record hattrick but snubbed when we invite players from the same league? When a player is in-form, the reward should be NT call-up,” Pooja stated

“That is shameful on our part,” another concerned Nigerian echoed the sentiment, before another added; “Something is definitely wrong somewhere.”

The 24-year-old last played for the Super Falcons in the international friendly against France in November 2024, a match she assisted Nigeria’s only goal in a 2-1 defeat.

The first leg of the fixture will be held at the Stade Kegue, Lome on a date yet to be specified in the article, as the Bénin Republic does not possess a CAF-approved venue for the match.

The decisive return leg is scheduled for Tuesday, 28th October 2025, at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta, Nigeria.