Panic as Oshoala cops injury ahead UCL final

With just 12 days to the UEFA Women’s Champions League final, Barcelona fans have expressed concerns after star striker Asisat Oshoala picked up an injury in Barcelona’s 2-1 loss to CFF Madrid in the Spanish Liga F on Sunday, The PUNCH reports.

The Spanish champions are preparing to face Wolfsburg in the final of the Women’s Champions League at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven, Netherlands June 3.

Last season, the 28-year-old was a late inclusion in the Barcelona squad that defeated Chelsea 4-0 in the final of the competition, after she battled an ankle injury that ensured she missed the last two league games of the season.

On Sunday, in the last league game of this term, the five-time  African Women’s Player of The Year was subbed off in the 21st minute for Alexia Putellas, who scored the Blaugrana’s only goal, as the champions suffered their first defeat in the league in two years, which ended their 64-match unbeaten run.

The Spanish club are yet to give any update on the injury of their top goals scorer, but Mundodeportivo, a Spanish tabloid, wrote that the Super Falcons star had sustained a hamstring injury.

“Oshoala left the field due to some discomfort in the hamstring of his left leg. When they arrive in Barcelona they will do more tests to see if there is an injury,” Mundodeportivo wrote.

Reacting to the injury, some fans are hoping the Nigerian will return in time for the Champions League final next month.

Eliza said, “I hope Oshoala doesn’t miss the Champions League final. But there are still many other players and Alexia (the captain) is there.”

Another fan, AP91648, believes the striker may be sold due to her injury problems.

“I’m sorry for being like this, but if Oshoala doesn’t make it to the final, today (Sunday) could be her last game dressed as Blaugrana, because I have the feeling that there is a possibility that she will be sold,” she wrote on Twitter.

Mensaje Cifrado added, “Let’s hope Oshoala does not miss the final and with the league already over, starting tomorrow at full, I have no doubts.”

Not worried about the defeat, Sudo said, “The problem is not the loss. Oshoala got injured. I wasn’t watching when it happened, but apparently, it’s a hamstring injury and didn’t look good.”

Meanwhile, Super Falcons Randy Waldrum will be monitoring the injury status of his best striker in the national team as the 2023 Women’s World Cup kicks off in 59 days time in Australia and New Zealand.