Olympic Qualifier: Oshoala A Doubt For Nigeria/Algeria Clash
Asisat Oshoala has given an untimely injury scare for Nigeria after the striker picked up a knock in Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Montpelier on Sunday, Bestchoicesports.com.ng understands.
The Super Falcons are due to be in action on August 28 when they take on Algeria in the second round of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualifiers before a reserve team fixture in Lagos on September 3.
Oshoala is one of the six foreign professional players invited by Thomas Dennerby for the crucial ties with the North Africans, but Sunday’s incident could see the West Africans miss her services.
The 25-year-old scored her seventh goal in four games, including the Friendly’s winner against the French outfit, but was replaced in the 81st minute after suffering a knock.
However, the three-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year responded on social media to denounce tensions as she declared herself fit following concerns raised by football fans.
On Monday, a top source in a chat with newsmen, corroborated the response of the former Liverpool and Arsenal star, noting, “I’ve confirmed. She is in good shape and very okay”.
Goal reports the gaffer may be forced to face The Fennecs without the services of his foreign players, largely due to constraints of securing their entry visas to Algeria in good time.
With only six expected from overseas for the home tie, Dennerby is in a race against time to raise a squad from largely inexperienced home-based players, with first leg just a week away.
The Swede is keen to lead the country to the Olympic women’s football event for the first time since 2008 after he led them to the Women’s World Cup Last 16 for the first time in 20 years.
The availability of Oshoala will no doubt be a huge boost in the Super Falcons’ bid to avoid suffering an early exit from the ongoing African qualifying tournament this time.