Special Correspondent, HENRY ODUAH, profiles Nigerian football international who recently dusted other women across the globe to win the first BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award.
When Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala was included in the BBC nominations for Women’s Footballer of the Year on April 26, Nigerian sports journalists rallied to ensure she got the majority of votes from the Nigerian populace.
Although many had fancied her to run home with the prestigious individual award, sports writers gave it prominence, set it as top on the nation’s agenda, even when the country was preparing for general elections.
They deserve credit for job delivered.
But what makes the story tick is that the Lagos-born footballer has made history both as the winner of the maiden edition of the award and the first African to do so.
Only 20 years old, Oshoala has achieved in approximately two years what her contemporaries only dream of for decades.
Voting began on April 26 and ended on May 11. Fans worldwide voted online through the BBC website or by SMS. And on May 26, exactly one month after the nominations were made public, Oshoala was declared winner in a battle for the global broadcaster’s prize against big names in women’s football such as Spain’s Veronica Boquete, Germany’s Nadine Kessler, Scotland’s Kim Little and Brazil’s Marta.
Marta Vieira da Silva popularly called Marta looked favourite for the award after dominating women’s football between 2006 and 2010. The Brazilian tops the all-time Women’s World Cup goalscorer list alongside Birgit Prinz. Oshoala was named as one of the six Ambassadors of 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
But the rave of the moment owes her success to her outstanding moments which began in August last year at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada where she emerged the highest goalscorer with seven goals. Although Nigeria lost narrowly to the Germans in the final, her efforts were rewarded as she was also crowned the tournament’s best player.
After her stellar performance at the World Cup, former President Goodluck Jonathan awarded her the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) in September 2014. And as it is in her habit, she poured out her heart out of excitement for Nigerians and the world.
“It’s my second time having a handshake with the President (Jonathan) and I am really happy about it because there are a lot of Nigerians out there wishing to just see him, not to talk of handshake 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 is a dream come true,” Oshoala was quoted as saying.
“I dedicate the award to Almighty Allah who has kept and been with me ever since I started playing football up to this moment. I also dedicate the award to my parents and my family who are always praying for me.
“I also thank my teammates, especially the U-20 girls who enabled me score those goals that gave me the award, not forgetting my teammates in Super Falcons and my previous and present team, FC Robo and Rivers Angels.”
Then at the African Women Championships (AWC) hosted by Namibia in October last year, Oshoala led the Falcons team to its ninth crown as African champions, defeating Cameroon at the final. The wonder-kid secured Nigeria’s victory with a goal in the final game after Desire Oparanozie put the country in the driving seat. Their successful voyage at the competition handed them the number one ticket to FIFA Women’s World Cup kicking off on June 6.
Oshoala’s fantastic play earned her the Golden Ball award in Namibia. She finished with four goals, one adrift of teammate, Oparanozie who was highest goal scorer.
On home soil, the starlet led her Port Harcourt-based team, Rivers Angels, to league doubles. With such classic records, a big move was imminent for the young and energetic Oshoala. A breath-taking 2014 would eventually pay off with England’s Liverpool Ladies winning her signature on January 23, becoming the first African to feature in the Women’s Super League.
Dressed in a dinner gown, Oshoala came out in tears to the podium when she was declared African Women’s Footballer of the Year in Lagos at the CAF Awards Gala in 2014.
When the nominations for the BBC award was released in April, Oshoala said: “I worked hard last year, but I am surprised to be nominated and I feel very appreciated. This award is a very good thing for women’s football. It can really help us by encouraging other countries to support their ladies more and treat them the same way they treat the men.”
And on scooping it, she said: “It’s a really good thing for us as a team because we now know that we have something great and now we want to go at the trophy. We can do it; we did it in 2014, we can also do it this year.
“There is going to be a lot of motivation for women’s football in Nigeria now because of this award because there are a lot of fans out there. Support for women’s football in Nigeria is now growing very high.
“I know my Liverpool Ladies coach is going to be happy right now. Before I left the UK, he called me and said to me: ‘don’t worry; I hope you win the award and we’re going to celebrate it when you come back’.”
Encomia have not stopped pouring in on the vibrant Oshoala. Her former club, Rivers Angels, on its Facebook page, showed how proud it was to be associated with a player of such quality. “Congratulations to former Rivers Angels striker, Asisat Oshoala, for winning the BBC Women Footballer of the Year 2015. Once an Angel, always an Angel,” the statement read.
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, also had praises for her. Pinnick was a special guest at the BBC Radio 5 programme when Oshoala was announced winner.
“This award has come at the right time, with the Falcons about to start the World Cup campaign, and with an administration that is committed to growing the women’s game in place at the NFF,” said Pinnick.
The NFF boss hoped the gifted forward would motivate her team mates to do needed wonders at the World Cup in Canada.
“Our girls are in Canada as champions of Africa. Their best outing at the World Cup has been quarter-final berth at the 1999 finals in U.S.A., where they lost to Brazil in extra time. Seriously speaking, we look forward to the Falcons setting new records in Canada.”
Also, Director-General, National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhassan Yakmut, had words for the latest rave in Nigerian football.
“Nigerians and the National Sports Commission are proud of the achievement recorded by Oshoala. By this singular and remarkable feat, she has written her name and that of Nigeria in gold,” said he.
Surprisingly, Oshoala even rubs mud on the notion several persons nurse of female athletes not looking attractive. She is blessed with skills and a beautiful face for the camera.
While her career may still be in the budding stage, she already seems to have won the heart of millions of Nigerian football fans, even the non-football fans are forced to learn about her brilliance. Many now compare her with famous athletes like Chioma Ajunwa, Mary Onyali, Blessing Okagbare and Florence Omagbemi.
The stakes are high now. Demands have skyrocketed and the world expects her to prove herself as the fans’ choice on the familiar Canadian turf as the women’s premier football tournament kicks off on June 6.
