Asisat Oshoala: The New Queen of African Football
The Super Falcons of Nigeria won the Africa Women Championship for an unprecedented eighth time last year in Cameroon. One of the team’s driving forces was Asisat Oshoala. Her effort did not go unnoticed as she was recently voted the African Women Player of the Year. With stardom achieved on the continent, Oshoala seems set to conquer the world, Kunle Adewale writes
Asisat Oshoala has never compromised her passion for the round leather game as she abandoned her education for football against the wishes of her parents.
“My passion for football made me drop out of school. This is one sport I won’t compromise. Growing up, people see me as a tomboy as I always play alongside male footballers and still do at Arsenal and anytime I’m in Nigeria. Those that that chose to go to school do so because they want to make it life likewise those of us that opted to play football. Though, my opting to play football was against my parents’ wish because they were not happy with my decision then but now I have brought them joy. I’m still not ruling out returning to school,” Oshoala said.
Oshoala capped an exciting year by winning the 2016 Women’s Player of the Year Award, beating Elizabeth Addo of Black Queens of Ghana, and Gabrielle Onguene of Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, to the award. She had earlier won the top scorer award at the Women’s AFCON in Cameroon, where she scored six goals in helping Nigeria win the African title for unprecedented eighth times.
Oshoala is, however, no stranger to the big stage. In 2015, at just 20, she was named the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, making her the first player to win the new award from the BBC World Service, voted for by football fans around the world, beating Spain’s Veronica Boquete, German Nadine Kessler, Scot Kim Little and Brazilian Marta to the honour.
Oshoala, who was the youngest player to be shortlisted, was the leading scorer at the Under-20s World Cup in Canada in 2014 and was voted the tournament’s best player.
Her performances led Nigeria to the final, where they were narrowly beaten by Germany, and she was also a major influence in the senior Nigeria team who won the African Women’s Championship the same year.
The effort also earned her a national award, Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) from President Goodluck Jonathan.
“It’s my second time having a handshake with the president and I am really happy about it because there are many Nigerians out there wishing to just see him, not to talk of shaking hands with him. Having this second opportunity to shake hands with him, I am really happy about it and I know it is the grace of God at work in my life. For me, it’s a dream come true,” she said.
Oshoala signed for Liverpool Ladies in January 2015, becoming the first African to feature in the Women’s Super League, with manager Matt Beard calling her “one of the world’s top young footballers”.
Mary Hockaday, controller of BBC World Service English in her tribute to Oshoala, said, “At still only 20, she’s proved herself a formidable talent on the pitch. I’m proud BBC World Service is supporting the women’s game and thrilled with the interest in the award,” she said.
To date, no individual has been so honoured in a competition than Oshoala, who was not only voted the Best Player in the 2014 Women’s U20 World Cup in Canada, but also carted away the Golden Boot for her goal-scoring prowess. Her seven goals helped Nigeria get to the final of the biennial competition for the second time; only to lose to the same opponent it lost to in the finals of the 2012 edition.
Oshoala made the headlines when she signed for Liverpool in July 2015, becoming the first African player to play for any English women’s side.
“When I got the deal from them, I was very excited. I supported Liverpool when I was younger, especially when Luis Suarez was still here. He’s a player I have really admired,” Oshoala said.
In addition to Suarez, the Falcons star also idolises former Real and AC Milan midfielder, Clarence Seedorf.
“I like him so much. I like players who work hard and give everything on the pitch. When you see a player like that, he is an inspiration. I love the way Seedorf played; I love everything about him. For the same reason, I admire Luis Suarez. He is ready to give everything and do everything for his club. I love players like that,” she said.
However, less than a year later, Oshoala shifted her loyalty to Arsenal Ladies after a season with Liverpool, scoring three goals in 12 league appearances for the Reds.
Arsenal Ladies Manager, Pedro Losa said: “Asisat is a fantastic talent and will be a great addition to our squad. She is quick, with excellent feet and has proven she can score goals so it’s very positive she has decided to join us.”
The former Rivers Angels player is indeed not comfortable with her comparison with Mercy Akide. “I have heard people compare me with Mercy but the truth is I really do not like comparisons. I love Mercy, I really do. She’s a legend and has achieved a lot in the game and to be compared to her at this age is a privilege. It’s a challenge but with hard work, I will get better.”
Looking back, she would always be grateful to FC Robo, where she cut her professional teeth. “I will always say a big thank to my first coach at FC Robo, Emmanuel Osahon. He discovered me and gave me my first break, before I joined Port Harcourt club, Rivers Angels sports club,” she recalled.
In a chat with THISDAY, former Falcons goalkeeper, Ann Chiejina is optimistic that the way Oshoala is going, she would one day climb the podium for the FIFA Award.
“I just hope and pray she keeps working hard. With the way she’s going she is not too far from being selected for the FIFA Women’s Footballer Award,” Chiejina said.
Meanwhile, Oshoala has called for the continent to make conditions better for women, saying: “We deserve more. The federations in every country have to do more for female football.”
Nicknamed Superzee by her appreciative teammates, the Nigerian striker owes her accolade to her speed and nose for goal.
Meanwhile, there are strong indication that Oshoala may be going to China following John Obi Mikel’s move to the Chinese Super League with Tianjin Teda and Odion Ighalo looking likely to also move to the Asian country, it has emerged that she might be the latest Nigerian footballer set for a big-money move to China.
Recent reports have suggested several unnamed Chinese clubs have contacted Arsenal Ladies about doing a deal for the Super Falcons striker.
Oshoala, whose contract with the Arsenal Ladies runs out at the end of the 2017 season, is believed to be considering a move, while the English club is also reported to be willing to cash in on the reigning African women’s player of the year.
The 22-year old joined the Arsenal Ladies nine months ago from the Liverpool Ladies, but is yet to have a wholly impressive season.
Cote D’Ivoire Start Title Defence
The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off today with host country, Gabon, taking on Guinea-Bissau and Burkina Faso slugging it out with Cameroun much later. However, defending Champions, Elephant of Cote D’Ívoire will be tested to the maximum when they begin the defence of their title, paired in a group of two other strong contenders
The Ivorians‚ who have to do without retired Yaya Toure and injured Gervinho but have been boosted by the defection of Wilfried Zaha‚ played through an indifferent 2016 but seem to come good towards the end of the year and will be rightly considered a good bet to retain their title.
The Elephants had been buoyed by the release of six million euros by the Ivorian government to prosecute African Cup of Nations campaign, official. The amount is meant for the preparation and participation of the Elephants in the competition scheduled to kickoff from January 14 to February 5 in Gabon.
The current figure represents an increase of more than 600,000 euros (400 million CFA francs) compared to 2015. The Elephants won the last edition of the competition beating Ghana in the finals in Equatorial Guinea.
Manchester United defender Eric Bailly and other teammates had begun preparatory work in Abu Dhabi and the Michel Dussuyer’s side had played two friendly matchesagainst Sweden and Uganda.
Ivory Coast are locked in Group C along with Togo, the Democratic republic of Congo and Morocco. Despite missing the services of the Toure brothers – Kolo and Yaya announced retirement from international football after 2015. They will also be without captain Yao Gervinho who recently underwent surgery.
If they come through the first round their hopes will be strengthen because Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo are among the dangerous outsiders at the tournament.
And Togo‚ who have the Godfather of the African Nations Cup in charge‚ can be expected to seek to play a spoilers’ role. Claude Le Roy continue to set a record for longevity at the event and is coaching at a ninth finals.
In his previous eight tournaments‚ only once did he not get a side through to the last eight – that was when he was with DR Congo in South Africa in 2013 and they were inched out of second place in their group by the minnows from the Cape Verde Island.
Togo can play that role in Group C‚ which is based at a new stadium in Oyem‚ with Emmanuel Adebayor leading their attack. He might be on the wrong side of 30 and short of match fitness‚ but is still one of the continent’s top players and will be eager to prove a point.
DR Congo were nominated by the Confederation of African Football as one of the candidates for the National Team of the Year award for 2016 on the back of not only qualifying in top place in their Nations Cup qualifying group but also putting together a 100 percent start to the group phase of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Florent Ibenge has assembled a strong group and after bronze at the last Nations Cup finals they will have high hopes of reaching the knockout phase again. But they will need to also get past the Moroccans‚ who again have a highly talented squad on paper even if they surprisingly left out Hakim Ziyech of Ajax Amsterdam from their 23-man squad.
He is rated one of the best talents in Europe but Morocco Coach Herve Renard said he could not guarantee him a starting line-up berth and it would not work well to have him mopping around on the bench.
Since then‚ there have been several injuries to key players with Younes Belhanda and Sofiane Boufal likely to be sorely missed and Ziyech might yet be drafted into the squad as a late injury replacement.
Morocco have invested heavily in enticing Renard to take over as their coach‚ hoping his Nations Cup magic can rub off on them. The suave Frenchman took Zambia to the 2012 title in Libreville and the Ivory Coast to success in the last edition in Equatorial Guinea.
Meanwhile, Gabon are putting their finishing touches in their preparations, and The Panthers are confident they will not disappoint the home crowd.
The players hope that playing in front of a partisan home crowd will give them extra edge over their opponents.
“Those that have their eyes fixed on the national team can count on us to deliver, and as I say, we will give the best, we will do everything to make the party beautiful, “assures midfielder Levy Madinda.
Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will carry the hopes of the central African nation on his shoulders, alongside veteran goalkeeper Didier Ovono and Sunderland’s holding midfielder Didier Ndong.
Gabon’s most significant AFCON achievement is the second-round finish they achieved as co-hosts in 2012.
They play the opening game against Guinea Bissau in Libreville, under the charges of former Spain manager Jose Antonio Camacho who replaced ex-Portugal international Jorge Costa in November 2016.
Stars to Watch Out for
As top African soccer nations are gearing up for today’s kickoff of the Africa Cup of Nations, below are some of the players expected to light up the tournament.
Riyad Mahrez, Algeria
Africa’s best player and BBC African Football of the Year 2016 is one player to watch out for in Gabon. The Algerian enjoyed spectacular success last season as he inspired Leicester to their first league title. Mahrez, 25, scored 17 league goals and was voted Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year – the first African to win the award. He was also influential to Algeria qualification for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. Mahrez is ranked the seventh best player in the world.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon
Ranked the eleventh best player in the world, host Gabon will be banking on the services of their talisman Pierre Aubameyang at this year African Cup of Nations. His 25 goals in the Bundesliga saw him end last season as the league’s second-top scorer behind Robert Lewandowski. He was named the 2015 CAF player of the year and finished as runner up the following year. Aubameyang is a must watch player in the tournament.
Saido Mane, Senegal
Mane became the most expensive African player in history when he joined Liverpool for £34m in the summer. He has made an immediate impact at Anfield with nine goals for the Reds already this season. Mane is currently the third best player in Africa, as such, the Teranga Lions of Senegal will be banking on his services at this year African Cup of Nations.
Andre Ayew, Ghana
West Ham’s Andre Ayew believes Ghana are among the favourites for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon. However, he is one man whose experience may just carry them all the way. Although the midfielder has missed several weeks of the English Premier League season through injury, he scored his first goal for West Ham against his former team Swansea last month. He also finished as the highest goal scorer in AFCON 2015. Ghana will be banking on him to find the back of the net as many times as possible again in this tournament.
Khama Billiat, Zimbabwe
In Billiat, Zimbabwe has the most important player at AFCON 2017. The Mamelodi Sundowns striker was voted the PSL Player of the Year in 2015. He was also recently voted as the second best African based player.
