Morocco 2022: ‘She has been consistent’ – Randy Waldrum’s motives questioned over Gift Monday exclusion
The Nigerian Women Football League (NWFL) chairperson Aisha Folade has questioned Randy Waldrum’s motives following the exclusion of Gift Monday, expressing her confusion over why the NWFL Premiership topscorer had not made the provisional squad for 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Despite learning of her exclusion from the 32-player provisional squad, the Robo Queens loanee went on to rain goals in Benin City at the NWFL Premiership Super Six, scoring nine of her team’s 11 goals in five matches to help Bayelsa Queens claim their fifth title in history.
Following her brace against Nasarawa Amazons, Monday won the Player of the Match, and also emerged the Most Valuable Player and topscorer, with nine goals in five games and 12 overall in 10 games – a string of performances Falode feels should be worthy of consideration.
“This definitely was her tournament, from the very first game to the last she was consistent, she enjoyed this tournament. When a player enjoys a tournament, you see the result,” Falode told CAFOnline.com.
“She thrived, she flourished so much which brings the question of why was she not included in the 32-woman list that to go to WAFCON, I’m sure the Super Falcons handlers will take a look at Monday again and agree she’s the kind of player we need for Nigeria to defend the title in Morocco.
“Monday is a team player, she carried her team. We need such players who can motivate the team, who can be leaders and carry the team and perform.”
Monday has enjoyed a consistent rise since starting out at now-defunt City of David United Ladies, scoring 18 goals during her two-season stint, including in the final to win the 2016 Lagos FA Women’s Cup before joining FC Robo in 2017.
At Robo, she didn’t take her foot off the pedals, netting 13 times for the Nigeria Women’s Football League Premiership side, as she aims to walk in the steps of Africa’s biggest names in the game.
She went on to captain Nigeria to African Games glory for the first time in 12 years and scoring the first goal of the tournament as the teenage sensation is aiming to walk in the footsteps of her role model Asisat Oshoala after being named in Goal.com inaugural global women’s NxGn top 10 in 2020.
Monday has underscored her appearances in the Super Falcons, with her goal as a substitute in a 9-0 win over Equatorial Guinea as Nigeria won the Turkish Women’s Cup in Antalya in February 2021.
She also came on from the bench to provide assist in Nigeria’s 3-3 draw against Portugal at the US Summer Series before coming off the bench to net a brace in 2-0 win over Mali at Aisha Buhari Cup plus offering another assist in 4-2 loss to South Africa.
