One shock inclusion to the Super Falcons squad for the Women's African Cup of Nations 2024, was Chioma Okafor, the University of Connecticut forward, who was handed her first ever call-up to the senior women's national team, the Super Falcons in a major tournament.
This involvement brought up many questions, and much criticism, especially because it was at the expense of proven Falcons forward, Monday Gift.
Many thought, she simply has to be exceptional!
Fast-forward to WAFCON 2024, Chioma Okafor is yet to feature at the tournament, even after three games, which now begged the question, why exactly was she included if she won't play?
Coach Justin Madugu has come out to explain it was not his decision, as the young forward had sustained an injury.
"Chioma Okafor is an integral part of the Super Falcons, since we started preparations she has been with us, she didn't play in the first game and we were hoping to use her in the next game."
"Unfortunately she sustained a hand injury, and the doctors gave a medical advice, based on the operation that was done on her hand, that she cannot use it to play any game until after 12 days.
I think it will not be wise for us to go against medical advice. We allow her train a little bit because we have the expectation that she can still be useful going forward.
Even at that, her teammates are very cautious. When it's an opposition, somebody could deliberately target that, and then the aggression in match situations is quite entirely different from training sessions, so we are not going against medical advice, that's why she has not been able to appear in any of the matches." He said at the pre-match press conference.
The Falcons take on Zambia today by 5PM, and it is expected that Chioma Okafor will not be dressed.