When Francisca Ordega last pulled on the Super Falcons jersey at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, few would have predicted that it would be nearly two years before she’d get the call again.
Now, as Nigeria ramps up preparations for WAFCON 2024 in Morocco, head coach Justine Madugu has confirmed the return of the experienced forward — a decision driven less by sentiment and more by form, fitness, and leadership.
Ordega, 31, has quietly rebuilt her profile away from the spotlight, first in Russia, where she scored 19 goals across two productive seasons, and more recently in Saudi Arabia, where she joined Al Ittihad in January.
Despite arriving midseason, the former Atlético Madrid and CSKA Moscow striker made an instant impact, netting six goals in seven appearances to finish as the club’s second-highest scorer.
For Madugu, the numbers told their own story.
“Monitoring her performances… she was among the top players in the league in Russia,” the coach said. “Since her transfer to Saudi, she has continued the good performances.”
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Ordega’s path back to the national team had already been in motion. She was scheduled to join the squad for a friendly against France, but a minor injury ruled her out at the last minute. Still, she remained firmly on Madugu’s radar.
“She was even supposed to be in the game against France in the last camp,” he said. “Unfortunately, she had a slight injury which made it impossible for her to be in camp.”
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But form alone didn’t earn her the recall. With Nigeria integrating a new generation of players ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, experience and leadership have become just as valuable as goals.
“We feel with the experience she has gathered over the years and her current performances in her clubs, she deserves to be given an opportunity,” Madugu added. “That’s why we’ve invited her — to share some of these experiences with the younger players.”
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Nigeria begin their WAFCON 2024 campaign in Group C, where they will face Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria in Casablanca. And while many eyes will be on the Super Falcons’ emerging talents, Ordega’s presence — forged in years of top-level football could prove crucial.
From overlooked to essential, her return is less about nostalgia and more about necessity
