Super Falcons forward and Bay FC striker, Asisat Oshoala, has paid tribute to both Nigerian football greats and global icons who shaped her remarkable journey in football.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News following Nigeria’s recent Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) triumph in Morocco, the six-time CAF Women’s Player of the Year acknowledged the trailblazers who laid the foundation for her generation’s success.
“Right now, if you Google players to see who has the most goals in the clubs, you have the likes of Perpetua Nkwocha,” Oshoala said. “Those are the people that actually paved the way for someone like me to come into the Super Falcons and enjoy certain things.”
She also highlighted former Super Falcons stars such as veteran goalkeeper Precious Dede and midfield powerhouse Rita Chikwelu, crediting them for creating a supportive and competitive team environment during her early years with the national team.
“I was fortunate to play with some of them before they retired,” she said.
Despite her status as a global star—with stints at top European clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Barcelona—Oshoala revealed that her early football inspiration came from male players due to the limited visibility of women’s football at the time.
“I did not have a female idol that I looked up to when I was younger because the games weren’t televised,” she explained. “You don’t see them in newspapers, news, and all that. I used to follow the male teams, and I supported male sports people more.”
Among her football idols were two former Manchester United players—Cristiano Ronaldo and Louis Saha—whose playing style and work ethic left a lasting impression on the young Oshoala.
Now one of the most accomplished African footballers in history, Oshoala continues to inspire the next generation of players, both in Nigeria and around the world.
