WeeklySA_AdminICON: Superstar attacker discusses medal target as Super Falcons head to the Women’s Olympic Tournament in group of death
By Sports Reporter
A modern-day women’s football icon, Asisat Oshoala has starred for club and country on some of the game’s greatest stages. The Nigerian striker has lit up FIFA Women’s World Cup™ matches, UEFA Champions League finals, and helped fire her teams to multiple trophy successes.
Her electrifying skills have yet to be showcased at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament – but that’s all set to change at Paris 2024. Nigeria have qualified for the competition for the first time since 2008, and Oshoala is primed to spearhead the Super Falcons’ charge in France. “This will be a special event,” she 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 have been handed one of the toughest draws imaginable at Paris 2024. They will take on Brazil, Japan and Spain in Group C and – on paper at least – appear to face an uphill battle to reach the knockout phase. All of Nigeria’s opponents are in the top ten of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking, with the African side currently placed 36th. “At the World Cup last year, people said the same thing,” said Oshoala. “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 actually walk away with a medal.”
This has already been a hugely significant year in Oshoala’s glittering career, with the attacker having transferred from Barcelona to Bay FC, a newly formed NWSL side based in San Jose.
The 29-year-old admitted it was a “tough decision” to leave Barça – where she won 14 trophies and was part of arguably the finest club team on the planet – but “followed her heart” to embark on her Stateside adventure.
“I was very comfortable at Barcelona, but I wanted to experience being at the start of something new,” said Oshoala, who scored 117 goals in 162 appearances for the Spanish club. “As soon as I heard about the project at Bay FC, I was very excited. I love what I do, and I make decisions based on what makes me happy. It’s been pretty amazing here so far.” Oshoala’s adjustment to life in San Jose, she revealed, has been aided by the city’s “good people and good food”.
“There are a lot of nice African restaurants, so that keeps me going!”
Six months on from swapping Catalonia for California, Oshoala is expected to go head-to-head with several of her former Barcelona team-mates when Nigeria face Spain in their second group match at Paris 2024. “It’s gonna be fun! Before the World Cup, we had this chat within ourselves on the team. We all wanted to play each other, but we didn’t get drawn in the same group. We all still keep in touch. It will be a cool experience.”
Oshoala will strive to lead from the front during Nigeria’s Olympic campaign – and she believes the team’s relentless energy makes them a force to be reckoned with.
“I know what I can do,” she said. “I know what I offer on and off the pitch. Even when I was at 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.
Nigeria will kick off their Olympic campaign against Brazil in Bordeaux before travelling north to Nantes for their clashes with Spain and Japan. Oshoala revealed she has some extra motivation for progressing all the way to the gold-medal match, which will be held in Paris on 10 August.
When asked what aspect of the Olympic experience she is most excited about, she replied: “If I tell you, you might think it’s a bit weird! I want my team to go far so I can go to Paris for the basketball. That’s something I really want to do in France. If I could see a game or even see those players move around the campus, I’d love that.” There is one basketball superstar in particular Oshoala would like to watch in action
“I love LeBron James. I like to see people have an impact outside their sport, and that’s what I see in LeBron. He has a foundation, he’s built a school… These are things that are even bigger than basketball. That’s why he’s my favourite player.”
Oshoala’s influence, too, stretches far beyond her incredible feats on the field. In 2015, she launched the Asisat Oshoala Foundation, which aims to use sport to empower young girls in her home country. As a teenager, Oshoala was discouraged from pursuing her football passion by her parents, who believed it would negatively affect her education. She explained how challenging this prevailing belief in Nigeria is one of her charity’s major objective.
When Oshoala steps out to represent Nigeria at Paris 2024, she will do so with an acute sense of responsibility.
“I know how many kids watch my games,” she added. “When I go out there, I will always give 100 per cent because if you’re not at the top [of the sport], it’s going to be difficult for people to look up to you. The Olympics is so special, but it’s going to be tough too. I need to work hard so I can come out with my head held high and say, ‘Okay, I know I did my best’.”
