Asisat Oshoala, a two-time Ballon d’Or nominee and six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year, stands as a modern-day women’s football icon. The former Barcelona Femini star, now dazzling for Bay FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), has lit up some of the game’s greatest stages for both club and country.
The Nigerian striker has shone in FIFA Women’s World Cup matches, UEFA Champions League finals, and propelled her teams to numerous trophy victories.
At 29, Oshoala is one of the most celebrated African female footballers of all time, having won the African Women’s Footballer of the Year award a record six times. She played a pivotal role in helping Barcelona Femini secure two UEFA Women’s Champions League titles (2020/21, 2022/23), four league titles, three Spanish Super Cups, and three Copa de la Reina trophies.
Despite her extensive football resume, Oshoala has yet to showcase her talents at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. That is set to change at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she will lead Nigeria’s senior female national team, the Super Falcons, who qualified for the competition for the first time since 2008.
Regarded as one of the greatest African female footballers of all time and one of the best in the world, Oshoala began her career with Rivers Angels FC, where she won the 2014 Nigerian Women’s Championship. Now, she is primed to lead the Super Falcons’ charge in France.
“This will be a special event,” Oshoala told FIFA. “I’ve never been to the Olympics before, but I’ve heard a lot about it. I’m looking forward to it so much – if I make the team!”
Nigeria face a tough draw at the Paris 2024 Olympics, set to compete in Group C against Brazil, Japan, and Spain. All three opponents rank in the top ten of the FIFA Women’s World Ranking, while Nigeria’s Super Falcons currently sit at 36th.
“At the World Cup last year, people said the same thing,” Oshoala said. “They said we were in the Group of Death [with Australia, Canada, and the Republic of Ireland] and could not qualify. But we did. I have a lot of confidence in this team. We have many young players and we can make things difficult for our opponents. We don’t just think about getting out of the group, I think we can walk away with a medal.”
Oshoala is determined to lead from the front during Nigeria’s Olympic campaign, believing the team’s relentless energy makes them formidable opponents.
“I know what I can do,” she said.
“I know what I offer on and off the pitch. Even when I was in the best team in the world, I knew what I could contribute. I always encourage the younger ones and help them understand they can give even more.
“I work hard for the team and try to make sure I do my part of the business – and that way everyone takes care of their business as well. We’re a team that won’t stop running until we hear the whistle. That’s difficult for the opposition teams because they can’t break us.”
While Nigeria has yet to advance beyond the last eight in their three previous Women’s Olympic Football Tournament appearances, the men’s team boasts a rich history at the Games, including a gold medal in Atlanta 1996 and silver and bronze in more recent tournaments.
“I know quite a few guys from the team,” Oshoala said. “When I go to the CAF awards, they always come over and say hi. We’ve had lunch together and they’re a really nice group of people. What they did at the Olympics was amazing. I hope we can follow them.”
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will kick off their Olympic campaign against Brazil on July 25 in Bordeaux before travelling north to Nantes for their clashes with Spain (July 28) and Japan (July 31). Oshoala revealed she has extra motivation for progressing all the way to the gold-medal match in Paris on August 10.
Oshoala’s influence extends far beyond her incredible feats on the field.
The Women’s Football tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be held from July 25 to August 10, 2024.
In 2015, she launched the Asisat Oshoala Foundation, aiming to use sport to empower young girls in her home country.
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