FC Barcelona Femeni Stars "Oshoala And Putellas" Ruled Out Of Major Tournaments Due To Serious Injury.
FC Barcelona Femeni have suffered a major blow after two key players Asisat Oshoala, and Alexia Putellas suffers serious injury blow on the eve of key clashes in the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), and the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 (WEURO2022) respectively.
The two stars of women’s football have been ruled out of major tournaments in the space of two days in what seems to be the biggest summer of women’s football.
One of the best players at WAFCON Asisat Oshoala sustained a Grade 2 medial collateral ligament strain in the game against South Africa on Monday.
The Four-time African Player of the Year was in the Nigeria Super Falcons team that were outclassed by 1-2 loss against a well improved Banyana Banyana of South Africa in their Group C opener in Morocco.
27-year-old Oshoala suffered the ill-fated injury in the second half, as she could not continue and was substituted for CSKA Moscow bound star Francisca Ordega in the 82nd minute before regulation time.
The team’s medical crew reportedly declared on Wednesday that Oshoala sustained the medial ligament injury in the 6th minute of the encounter with South Africa, and would be out of action for between two and three weeks, with another one or two weeks period for recovery.
Super Falcons boss Randy Waldrum was hopeful the star forward would recover but has now been ruled out, and due to fly out of Morocco on Thursday after medics at her club, FC Barcelona Femeni, advised that she return to Spain.
The Super Falcons continue their campaign at the 2022 WAFCON against table toppers Botswana in their next group game scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 7, 2022.
The defending champions and nine time winners, would need a very positive result to rekindle their hope for Next Year's FIFA World Cup ticket and the tournament trophy as usual.
Meanwhile, One of the best players at the Euros, Alexia Putellas, has heartbreakingly been ruled out of Euro 2022 on the eve of the tournament after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee during Spain's training session.
Spain were the favorites to win the Women’s Euro 2022 which starts today in England, but have now been dealt a huge blow as their star and Captain Putellas suffered an ACL tear.
The reigning Ballon d'Or winner is Spain's record appearance holder, with 27 goals in 100 caps.
Spain boss Jorge Vilda was full of praise for Putellas after she made her 100th appearance against Italy recently.
In 2021, the Barcelona midfielder became the first player to win the UEFA Women's Player of the Year Award, the Ballon d'Or Feminin, and The Best FIFA Women's Player in the same year.
The national side tweeted that further analysis would determine the severity of the injury.
Spain are set to begin their Euro 2022 campaign against Finland on Friday before further group stage games against Germany and Denmark.
They could as well be without veteran forward Jennifer Hermoso, who is also dealing with knee issues.
The 33-year-old Pachuca false 9 and attacking midfieder, is the all-time top scorer for both Barcelona and Spain.
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