•Oshoala
Long before the world knew her name, her story began in a home where a degree mattered more than a trophy.
Raised in family that valued education above all else, Oshoala’s future was supposed to be built in a classroom, safely tucked away from the unpredictable world of sports, reports The Nation.
But passion has a way of being loud, even in a quiet home. Through defiance and relentless grit, she chased her dream until the 2014 U-20 Women’s World Cup breakthrough earned her parents’ support.
Speaking on what help her career, Oshoala football path halted her parents’ academic ambitions in which she was to study Law. However, she appreciated her parents for aiding her football career when they realised the needs to.
“I am grateful to God for the family I come from. We were an average family, my basic needs were always met, and my parents did their best for me,” she reflects.
“My main struggle was convincing my parents to allow me to play football. At first, they wanted me to focus solely on education.”
“I even had to hide or lie occasionally just to go and play. I was an intelligent child and initially wanted to become a lawyer. My parents emphasised education because they believed strongly in it. Eventually, after the Under-20 World Cup, they fully supported my football career. I truly appreciate them for that.”
From street football to structured dreams
Reflecting on what a girl child had to face chasing their dream, the sixth-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year, noted that during her time there were no much advocacy for women’s football but she’s happy for the younger generation who have a structured system for women football.
“I feel happy for the younger generation and the opportunities they now have,” she said. “Growing up, I did not have those same opportunities, and there was not much advocacy for women’s football at the time.”
“We had to play with boys, on the streets, or at school with friends. There were no proper clubs or teams specifically created for girls. Today, however, the younger players are enjoying themselves and having fun within structured systems. I truly love that for them.”
The turning point and the mixed emotions
While the world saw a superstar rising, she still carries the quite ache of that narrow loss in the final to Germany after extra-time – a reminder that for a true winner, individual gold is a small comfort when the ultimate prize is missed.
“I was happy, but at the same time, I was not completely happy on the day of the final because we lost.”
“Although I won the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot, it was a mixture of emotions for me,” she admits.
“Despite the disappointment of losing the final, that tournament became a major turning point in my career. It introduced me to the world as a young player from Nigeria and opened many doors for me. It was an incredible experience and an important stepping stone that shaped my journey moving forward.”
The solitary path to success
Leaving home early to chase her football dream brought both freedom and loneliness. What began as an exciting step toward independence soon evolved into a test of resilience, as she navigated loneliness, new cultures, and life far from family.
“Leaving home at a young age was challenging. Living alone in a different country without friends or family was not easy. Even now in Saudi Arabia, I live alone without family around me,” she noted.
“At the beginning, I saw it as an opportunity. As a young girl, I always wanted independence so I could focus fully on football. It gave me the freedom to grow and enjoy my career.”
“But as time passes, loneliness can set in. You begin to miss companionship and familiar surroundings. The biggest adjustment was learning how to live independently and adapt to new cultures. Thankfully, I first moved to an English-speaking country, which made the transition easier.”
From sacrifice to historic milestone
By scoring the only goal for Barcelona in their 4-1 defeat to Lyon at the 2019 UEFA Women’s Champions League final in 2019, she marked a milestone not just for herself, but for African women in football.
Oshoala recalled that: “Scoring in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final was another emotional moment.”
“It was special personally, but we lost the final, which made it bittersweet. Still, having the opportunity to play on such a big stage helped me understand European football culture and grow professionally.”
At FC Barcelona, the 31-year-old forward faced the pressure of performing on football’s biggest stage while serving as a role model for aspiring players.
“Playing for FC Barcelona was a huge responsibility. It is one of the biggest stages in women’s football, with many young players looking up to you. There was pressure, of course, but I also enjoyed every moment. It was an eye-opener for many African girls, showing them that reaching the highest level of women’s football is possible with hard work and a bit of luck.”
National pride and a global impact
Despite her club success, pulling on the green and white of the Super Falcons remains her ultimate honour.
Winning African Women’s Player of the year six times is a rare feat, but for Oshoala, the focus has always been on the games, not the accolades.
In her words: “Winning the African Women’s Player of the Year award six times is an incredible honour. Sometimes, you lose count because you are simply focused on doing your job.”
“I am grateful to everyone who supports and votes for me. The journey to six awards has been remarkable. You never know what tomorrow brings, someone else may win seven or eight. The key is to remain consistent and continue giving your best.”
She treats every tournament with the same passion, driven by her love for the game.
“Every tournament is special to me because I give my all in every competition. Whether it is WAFCON or the World Cup, I approach each game with the same passion and energy because I genuinely love football,” Oshoala said.
“The 2023 World Cup in Australia stands out the most for me. Our match against Australia was particularly special, as well as the game against England.”
“Those performances showed how much the Nigerian team is evolving and improving with every competition. At WAFCON in Morocco, we experienced intense moments, especially when we were two goals down. Fighting back together and supporting one another made the victory even sweeter.”
A legacy beyond the pitch
Beyond her goals and achievements, Oshoala’s true legacy lives in the lives she transforms through her foundation called Asisat Oshoala Foundation – empowering young girls through football, education, and opportunity.
“My foundation and academy are very special to me; I call them my babies,” she said with joy.
“The foundation focuses on supporting girls in society by providing basic needs and promoting education. Through partnerships, including support from Nike during my time at Barcelona, we have been able to fund and sustain the project for several years.”
“I aim to give these girls opportunities I did not have growing up — balancing education and sport, building confidence, and preparing for a better future. It is a project very close to my heart.”
“I would love to be remembered as someone who advocated for and protected the girl child, someone who empowered young girls through football and education. That would mean everything to me.”
