The race to find a younger, sharper, and more potent center forward for the Super Falcons has officially begun.
You might be wondering: what happened to Asisat Oshoala or Ifeoma Onumonu?
Truth be told, football is a game for the young and the swift. Both of these veterans, while still valuable in their own right, are gradually approaching the twilight of their careers.
Take nothing away from Oshoala and Onumonu. They have served the team admirably in their respective eras. Oshoala’s exploits in Europe and Onumonu’s numbers in the NSWL, now in France with Montpellier highlight their quality.
However, the Super Falcons need a forward who can define the future, not just fill a short-term gap.
Enter Edna Imade, a 24-year-old striker who has been quietly making waves in Spain and may just be the answer to Nigeria’s long-term striking conundrum.
Oshoala and Onumonu: Fading Super Falcons stars
Oshoala has been the face of Nigerian women’s football for over a decade. Her relentless energy, clinical finishing, and high-pressing game earned her global recognition and an incredible tally of 37 goals in 65 international appearances. However, her output for the Super Falcons has dipped significantly in recent years.
Since 2020, Oshoala has managed just three goals for Nigeria, including one in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup against Australia and another in the 4-0 victory over Ethiopia in October 2023.
Though she remains a top player, her urgency and work rate have visibly declined, prompting a tactical shift under head coach Justin Madugu toward integrating younger talents.
Onumonu, meanwhile, has been a divisive figure among fans. Since her debut in 2021, she has struggled to establish herself as a reliable option for Nigeria, despite her experience in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and, more recently, in France.
While she has found form this season with six goals in nine appearances for Montpellier, Onumonu is also 30 years old and cannot be viewed as a long-term solution.
Edna Imade: A Naija star made in Seville
Born to Nigerian parents in Morocco during a difficult migration journey, Imade grew up in Spain and fell in love with football at an early age. From playing with boys’ teams in small-town Carmona to excelling in professional indoor football, her journey has been anything but conventional.
Now 24, she is making her mark in Primera División de la Liga de Fútbol Femenino with Granada CF. This season, she has been in sensational form, scoring eight goals in 12 league appearances and establishing herself as one of the league’s top scorers.
Only FC Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor has more goals, highlighting Imade’s ability to perform at a high level despite playing for a mid-table team.
Physically strong, fast, and tactically intelligent, Imade’s skill set makes her a perfect fit for the Super Falcons. Her performances have caught the attention of scouts, and her goal-scoring record speaks for itself.
Who else is in the running?
As Nigeria prepares for the 2025 WAFCON in Morocco, the search for a reliable center forward becomes critical. Several other names have been floated as potential successors to Oshoala and Onumonu, including Folashade Ijamilusi, Flourish Sebastine, and Omorinsola Babajide. However, none of them offers the same proven track record as Imade.
Ijamilusi, who plays for Edo Queens in the Nigerian Women’s League, has yet to test herself in a more competitive environment.
Sebastine, currently with Galatasaray in Turkey, is still only 20 and in the early stages of her career.
Babajide, who plies her trade at UD Tenerife in Spain, has shown flashes of potential but lacks the consistency and goal-scoring numbers to make a strong case for a starting role with the Super Falcons.
With the Super Falcons undergoing a transformation under Madugu, now is the perfect time to integrate players like Edna Imade. Not only does she offer a potent attacking option, but she also represents the future of Nigerian women’s football.
