AWCON 2022: Nigeria or Ghana’s absence will hurt women’s football, says Oshoala

Asisat Oshoala has lamented that the Super Falcons have to face Ghana for a spot in the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON).

The Barcelona striker told TheCable that the possibility of one of the two African powerhouses missing out on the tournament “is not good for football”.

Oshoala questioned the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to pit Nigeria and Ghana together in the AWCON play-off.

If the Super Falcons defeat Ghana, the team will face the victor between Ivory Coast and Niger to determine who will qualify for the tournament in Morocco.

“Having one of Nigeria or Ghana at home, not participating in the tournament, I don’t think it’s a good one. I don’t know the card CAF is playing. But for me personally, I don’t think it’s a good one,” Oshoala told TheCable.

“I think I am going to be honest. I am not really happy to play Ghana this period because all of us are trying to see how far we can take women’s football in Africa.

“Trying to get sponsors, trying to encourage the younger ones coming up and trying to send a very goodwill message regarding women football in Africa. So that people can actually take part in making sure that they invest in women’s football. But at the end of the day, if you have one of the powerhouses in Africa not participating in the tournament, sitting at home watching, I think it is not a good one.

“You want to watch quality games. Quality football, that’s what you want to see. And this is what will encourage and also be interesting for sponsors and for people who really want to invest in women football.”

Oshoala has won the AWCON three times in three appearances for the nation.

A record number of 44 member associations will be participating in the qualifying series.