Spain have named Edna Imade in the 25 Woman squad for the UEFA Nations League officially secured the international future of in-form striker Edna Imade, ending months of speculation about a potential switch to the Super Falcons.
Imade, born in Morocco to Nigerian parents and raised in Spain, had long been on the Nigeria Football Federation’s radar and was widely seen as a future Super Falcons prospect.
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Without a Spanish or Moroccan passport earlier this year, Nigeria appeared well-positioned to bring her into the national team setup, and she even came close to making the final squad for the postponed 2024 WAFCON.
However, Spain intensified their efforts in recent weeks, fast-tracking all documentation to make the 25-year-old eligible for selection.
That move has now been rewarded, with Imade named in Spain’s 25-woman squad for the UEFA Women’s Nations League final later this month — a decisive step that effectively ends Nigeria’s pursuit.
Her call-up reflects her outstanding form this season: seven goals in eight games in the 2025/26 Liga F campaign, building on her breakthrough 16-goal haul last season which earned her a four-year contract with Bayern Munich.
Currently on loan at Real Sociedad, she is set to join the German champions permanently in 2026.
Imade has amassed 28 Liga F goals to date, and her rise includes a headline moment this season — scoring the winner in Real Sociedad’s shock 1–0 victory over Barcelona, ending their 10-match unbeaten run and handing them a first away league defeat since May 2023.
For Nigeria, her commitment to Spain is a significant setback. Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu previously confirmed he had made multiple attempts to bring Imade into the squad.
He noted that while some of her family members preferred Nigeria, her club and representatives leaned toward Spain.
Despite holding a Nigerian passport, Imade did not respond to outreach efforts.
Madugu will now turn to other emerging talents, including the in-form Gift Monday, Denmark-based Joy Omewa, and consistent performers Esther Okoronkwo and Chinwendu Ihezuo, as Nigeria prepares to defend its WAFCON title next year with World Cup qualification on the line.
Imade’s decision closes a long-running chapter — and leaves Nigeria wondering what might have been.
