African Legend Asisat Oshoala: The End of an Era

The future of the "Nigeria" team and its attack is in question with the conclusion of Asisat Oshoala's remarkable career.

There is little debate that Asisat Oshoala is among the most celebrated athletes in Nigerian and African history. Her accolades and achievements at both club and international levels speak volumes about her legacy. Yet, as she approaches the twilight of her career, questions linger about her impact on the "Super Falcons" and the future of the team.

Oshoala's career is marked by historic milestones. She is the only woman to win the African Women's Player of the Year award six times, the first African player to score in a UEFA Women's Champions League final, and the first African woman to score in three FIFA World Cups (2015, 2019, and 2023).

With 117 goals in 162 appearances during a five-year stint at "Barcelona", Oshoala cemented herself as one of the club's all-time greats, helping them claim 14 trophies, including two trebles. Now plying her trade at "Bay FC" in the NWSL, she remains a key player. In her debut season, she led the San Francisco-based club to the playoffs with eight goals and one assist, proving she still has the hunger to perform at the highest level.

For "Nigeria", Oshoala has been nothing short of legendary. She announced herself to the world as the best player at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, where she won the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards. She has helped the "Super Falcons" clinch three Women's Africa Cup of Nations titles, scoring pivotal goals in key moments of those campaigns. In her 65 caps for "Nigeria", Oshoala has scored 37 goals, including strikes in the FIFA Women's World Cup and multiple WAFCON tournaments.

Yet, despite her stellar past, her recent form for the national team has been a shadow of her earlier brilliance. Since making her debut in 2013, Oshoala has been Nigeria's go-to forward, leading the line with relentless energy and clinical finishing. However, over the past three years, her output has waned.

On the pitch, she often appears less engaged, leaving younger teammates to shoulder the attacking burden. The "Super Falcons" recent games suggest a shift in focus towards younger talents. Players like Flourish Sebastine, Folashade Ijamilusi, Uchenna Kanu, and Gift Monday have impressed with their dynamism and work ethic.

This shift has coincided with Oshoala's exclusion from key fixtures, such as the Paris Olympics qualifiers and friendlies against "Algeria" and "France" in October-November 2024, where head coach Justin Madugwu opted for fresh faces.

"Nigeria's" 4-1 and 2-0 victories over "Algeria" in recent friendlies demonstrated that the team could thrive without Oshoala. The same is evident in top leagues across Europe, America, and Africa, highlighting the potential of the emerging generation of "Super Falcons" attackers.

At 30, Oshoala remains an influential figure off the pitch, offering experience and leadership. However, as "Nigeria" prepares to reclaim their WAFCON title in Morocco next summer, a gradual transition may be on the horizon. The emergence of younger, hungrier forwards is signaling the beginning of the end for Oshoala's reign as Nigeria's talisman.