Asisat Oshoala opens up on retirement rumours
Asisat Oshoala
Nigeria’s most decorated female footballer, Asisat Oshoala, has debunked widespread rumours suggesting she had retired from international football.
Speaking to reporters in Morocco after Nigeria’s dramatic 3-2 comeback win over the hosts in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the six-time African Player of the Year dismissed the speculation as “false and baseless.”
“I don’t know where that came from but agenda must agend. I get it, but I’m not bothered. I’m still here. I’m still playing. I’m still doing my job. That’s what I’m focused on,” she said.
Oshoala, who was limited to cameo appearances during the tournament, was still named in Nigeria’s final 23-player squad and remains an active part of the Super Falcons setup at age 30.
Reacting to Nigeria’s title-winning performance, the Barcelona Femení forward encouraged young players and fans to stay resilient:
“From today’s game, what I would say is don’t give up, keep fighting until the end. There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel—if you believe. I always tell my girls: stay ready anytime, you can get called on. And when you do, go out there and show yourselves.”
Oshoala made her international debut in 2013 under interim coach Edwin Okon in a friendly against Japan. Her breakthrough came at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, where she emerged as the tournament’s best player and top scorer with seven goals.
Later that year, she helped Nigeria to victory at the African Women’s Championship and was named Player of the Tournament. In recognition of her achievements, she received the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) from then-President Goodluck Jonathan.
Since then, Oshoala has featured in three consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cups (2015, 2019, and 2023), scoring in all three—a record feat for any African player.
Her trophy cabinet also includes four WAFCON titles: 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2024. While injuries and tactical rotations have occasionally reduced her playing time in recent tournaments, her presence and influence on the team remain undeniable.
