“Tough pill to swallow” – Nigeria’s 5th MVP laments shock Super Falcons WAFCON snub

Gift Monday, one of Nigeria's most in-form forwards, has expressed her disappointment after being left out of the Super Falcons squad for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 23-year-old, currently rated as Nigeria’s fifth most valuable female footballer, had been widely expected to feature in head coach Justin Madugu’s final list.

This follows Monday's strong season that saw her score ten goals for UD Tenerife before making a seamless transition to Washington Spirit in the United States, where she netted four goals and registered one assist in her first nine appearances.

MONDAY DOES IT AGAIN

4th goal this season!

pic.twitter.com/hnHeW08qHz

— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) June 8, 2025

But in a decision that has raised eyebrows within the Nigerian football community, Madugu opted to recall veterans Asisat Oshoala and Francisca Ordega, while handing a debut call-up to Malawi-born Chioma Okafor.

What Gift Monday said of her Super Falcons snub

Reacting to her omission, Monday made it clear there were no fitness concerns and that the decision lay solely with the coaching staff.

“Sometimes the hardest moments reveal the strength of our hearts,” Monday wrote in an emotional statement posted on X.

“I have seen the official squad list for the upcoming WAFCON tournament and yes, my name isn't on it.

“While it hurts and is a tough pill to swallow, I want to make it clear that I hold no grudges, no resentment. I am hale and hearty, fully fit, and still deeply in love with the game and the green white green.

“Though I won't be on the pitch with the team in Morocco, my heart will be there every step of the way… You carry the hopes of millions including mine. I'll be watching. I'll be believing. I'll be back. Come on Super Falcons. Let’s fly high.”

COSTA ADEJE TENERIFE

Raquel Pisco
Rinsola Babajide
Gift Monday
️ Sandra Castelló pic.twitter.com/5ZdnieHmRm

— El Parque ⚽️ (@ElParqueFutbol) May 25, 2025

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Monday's international career began in 2018 at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in France. In 2019, she captained Nigeria to a historic African Games gold medal — the nation’s first in 12 years — after a penalty shootout win over Cameroon.

She also played a key role in Nigeria’s Turkish Women’s Cup triumph in 2021, netted in a 9–0 thrashing of Equatorial Guinea, and was part of the Super Falcons squad to the 2022 WAFCON and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Despite her consistent form at club level and previous international pedigree, Monday’s absence from the WAFCON squad is the second national team disappointment in under a year, after she was only named an alternate player for Nigeria’s 2024 Olympic qualifiers.

Still, the former FC Robo and Bayelsa Queens forward remains determined to make a comeback.