BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Super Falcons forward and Nigerian football icon, Asisat Oshoala, has debunked reports claiming she is set to retire from international football after the ongoing 2024/25 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year denied ever making such a statement, distancing herself from a viral Facebook post attributed to her.

Clarifying the matter, a member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and women’s football stakeholder, Aisha Falode, disclosed that the Facebook page which published the retirement statement was not operated by Oshoala but by an impersonator.

“The Facebook account is cloned,” Falode explained. “Asisat has denied ownership of that page and stated clearly that she never authored the post suggesting she would quit international football after the WAFCON.”

The controversial post had made rounds on social media over the weekend, claiming the 30-year-old striker would bow out after the tournament to “start a new chapter” and “pave the way for younger players.”

The message, which praised Oshoala’s legacy and career achievements, stirred a wave of reactions among fans, journalists, and fellow athletes.

However, Falode urged the public and media outlets to be cautious and verify sources before spreading such sensitive news, especially concerning national icons like Oshoala.

“It’s unfortunate that someone would attempt to mislead the public using Asisat’s identity. We advise everyone to rely on verified platforms and accounts,” she added.

Oshoala, who currently plays for Bay FC in the United States’ National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), is one of Nigeria’s most celebrated female footballers.

She has represented the country at multiple FIFA Women’s World Cups and Olympic Games, and her leadership remains vital as the Super Falcons continue their WAFCON 2024/25 campaign.

The NFF is reportedly looking into the impersonation incident and may engage relevant authorities to address the growing concern of social media identity theft among athletes.

As of press time, the real Asisat Oshoala had not issued a personal statement on the matter, but close associates affirm she remains focused on helping Nigeria reclaim the continental title in Morocco.

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Nine-time champions Nigeria head into Tuesday’s titanic Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) semi-final against South Africa brimming with confidence and carrying an imposing record in the tournament’s knockout phase.

The Super Falcons stormed into their 13th WAFCON semi-final with a ruthless 5-0 demolition of Zambia in the quarter-finals—a performance that extended their remarkable record of reaching at least the last four in every edition they’ve contested.

This year’s run marks Nigeria’s 15th appearance in the WAFCON knockout stages, comprising 12 semi-finals and two quarter-finals.

Their overall knockout record now stands at 11 wins and 3 losses, with eight of those wins secured in regulation time, two via penalties, and three defeats—two in open play and one in a shootout.

Their only semi-final setbacks came in 2008 (1-0 to Equatorial Guinea), 2012 (1-0 to South Africa), and 2022, when hosts Morocco triumphed on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

However, Nigeria’s penalty shoot-out history remains solid with three victories (2008 quarter-final, 2018 semi-final, and 2018 final) and just one loss.

Tuesday’s clash in Casablanca will be the Super Falcons’ 13th semi-final. A victory will see them advance to a record-extending 10th final.

Coach Justine Madugu’s side has combined attacking flair with defensive solidity in Morocco, emerging as the only team yet to concede a goal at the tournament.

Justine Madugu has put up a team with strict discipline at the defence and an attacking prowess anchored on every striker in the squad.

Nigeria have now gone 383 minutes without shipping a goal at WAFCON—an achievement last matched in 1998.

The emphatic win over Zambia was Nigeria’s fifth time scoring five or more goals in a WAFCON knockout game.

Remarkably, five different players got on the scoresheet in that match, a feat last achieved in the 2014 group stage against Zambia.

 In total, seven different players have scored for Nigeria at this tournament— the highest tally since 2014 when eight players contributed goals.

Forward Chinwedu Ihezuo leads the scoring charts for the team with three goals, while goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has had a quiet campaign, facing only two shots on target in four matches—highlighting the team’s dominance and defensive organisation.

Against Zambia, Nigeria did not face a single shot on target while registering seven themselves—an emphatic display of control and superiority.

As they prepare for a highly anticipated semi-final against arch-rivals and reigning champions South Africa, the Super Falcons will not only be seeking revenge for their 2022 opening match defeat but also to continue their march towards a 12th WAFCON title.

With history, form, and confidence on their side, Nigeria’s Super Falcons are poised for another chapter of continental glory.

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The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will witness yet another epic chapter in one of the continent’s fiercest football rivalries as Nigeria and South Africa clash in the semi-finals on Tuesday, July 23, at the Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca. Kick-off is at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT).

This mouthwatering encounter marks the 12th WAFCON meeting between the two continental giants and their eighth consecutive tournament clash since 2006.

Apart from the 1998 and 2004 editions, Nigeria and South Africa have met at every WAFCON since 2000, underscoring the intensity and consistency of their rivalry.

Their most recent face-off came in the group stage of the 2022 edition, where South Africa stunned the Super Falcons 2-1 with quick-fire second-half goals from Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hildah Magaia. Rasheedat Ajibade’s stoppage-time effort was not enough to salvage a point for Nigeria.

Despite that setback, Nigeria remain dominant in the overall WAFCON head-to-head with eight wins to South Africa’s three, including a dramatic penalty shootout victory in the 2018 final after a goalless draw.

Tuesday’s clash will be their fourth semi-final meeting. Nigeria triumphed in the 2002 (5-0), 2014 (2-1), and 2016 (1-0) semi-finals, while South Africa claimed a historic 1-0 win in the 2012 last-four encounter.

Notably, all three previous semi-finals were settled in regulation time.

South Africa, the reigning champions, are led by coach Desiree Ellis, who captained the team during their first-ever WAFCON meeting in the 2000 final — a 2-0 loss to Nigeria in Johannesburg.

Since taking over as coach, Ellis has guided Banyana Banyana to impressive results against Nigeria, including two victories and a draw in open play, although they fell short in the 2018 final via penalties.

Of the 11 WAFCON matches between the two teams, a total of 22 goals have been scored, with Nigeria netting 16 and South Africa 6.

Nigeria’s 5-0 win in the 2002 semi-final remains the biggest margin in the series, but recent clashes have been far tighter—each of the last six matches that produced a winner were decided by just a single goal.

Nigeria’s semi-final appearance also marks their second time facing the defending champions in WAFCON history; the first came in 2010 when they defeated title-holders Equatorial Guinea 4-2 in the final.

As Tuesday’s showdown looms, both teams will be chasing history—Nigeria aiming to reclaim the crown they last won in 2018, and South Africa seeking to stay on course to retain their title and assert their growing dominance in African women’s football.

With pride, legacy, and a place in the final at stake, Casablanca is set for an electrifying duel that could once again redefine the contours of African women’s football supremacy.

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