The World Most Valuable Woman U-20 footballer, just
got upgraded to the senior ranks. She is now Africa’s best.
Asisat Oshoala who was invited into Nigeria senior
national team – Super Falcons, after she put up an outstanding performance at
the FIFA U-20 Women World Cup in Canada, where she won both the Golden Ball and
the Golden Boot Award, shone like a million star at the just concluded African
Women Championship (AWC) in Namibia.
The Nigerian fast paced attacking midfielder again
won the Golden Ball Award as the best player and also became the second highest
goal scorer with 4 goals in the championship. Team mate, Desire Oparanozie, won
the Golden Boot Award, having scored 5 goals.
Oshoala’s assist helped Super Falcons of Nigeria
reclaim the AWC title for the 7th time and became African women
Champions once again. This also ensured that the team qualified for 2015 FIFA
Women World Cup in Canada.
I personally think Oshoala should be at the Ballon
d’Or, perhaps by next year. Her exploits has put Nigerian women football on the
spotlight – the world is waiting to see what Super Falcons will perform in
Canada 2015. With players like Oshoala, Oparanozie, Perpetual Nkwocha… you can
be rest assured the team can turn the table around and rewrite world women
football history.
Super Falcon has recently been at the forefront of
several discussions, especially now the Super Eagles (Nigeria Men National
team) has started to blow hot and cold, and may likely not qualify for AFCON
2015. Some sport analysts are of the opinion that Super Falcons is now a better
brand to sell to the world.
And Oshoala is become a big brand, a household name
in Nigeria. I expect that a lot of corporate sponsors should be lining up by
now to endorse the Rivers Angels Star. In case you didn’t know, Oshoala should
be bagging many more Awards in the following months. I can sure predict the
following:
- Oshoala – Africa’s Woman footballer of the Year 2014
- Oshoala – Nigeria’s Woman footballer of the Year 2014
- Oshoala – Nigeria’s Sports Person of the Year 2014
Tell me who will beat her to the awards? Oshoala is
now the most beautiful bride in world football. Clubs like Ajax, Barcelona, and
Arsenal women team are wooing her seriously.
Well, the story would have been much more
interesting to tell, if all that is happening to Oshoala is also positively
affecting her team mates at Rivers Angels – The Nigerian Women’s League is in
dare need of Attention – I mean, serious attention! You never can tell how many
more Oshoalas are yet uncovered in the shabbily organized league.
