Asisat Oshoala, a striker for the Super Falcons and Barcelona, has received praise from the Association of Nigerian Women in Sports after being named the African Women Player of the 2021–2022 season on Thursday in Morocco.
Oshoala made history by becoming the first player to win the Confederation of African Football Awards’ African Player of the Year honour five times.
Oshoala won the women’s title at the CAF Awards ceremony in Rabat by defeating Zambia’s Grace Chanda and Cameroonian Ajara Nchout Njoya.
Bola Adeyanju, the national president of NAWIS, commended Oshoala for her patriotism and commitment to the game at both her club, FC Barcelona Feminine, and the Falcons, the senior women’s team of the country.
Adeyanju further described the striker as a perfect role model of how the girl-child should be empowered, through sports and education, and in leadership.
Many fans and lovers of the beautiful game have also felicitated Oshoala on her history-making feat, including Super Eagles Lorient FC striker, Terem Moffi and Nantes winger, Moses Simon.
Simon wrote on his Twitter handle, “Congratulations” in response to a tweet from CAF celebrating Oshoala.
Moffi also quoted a similar CAF post and wrote of Oshoala, ‘Queen’.
Oshoala’s impressive outing for Barcelona last season made her the deserved winner of the top individual award for women on the continent.
The 27-year-old played a crucial role as Barcelona went unbeaten throughout the entire season to lift the Spanish La Liga Feminine.
Oshoala was also brilliant as the Catalans won the Copa de la Reina.
Barcelona also reached the final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League but lost to French side Lyon.
Newsclick Nigeria also reports that with the recent triumph, the Barcelona striker becomes the first player in history to win five African Player of the Year awards.
Oshoala had previously shared the top podium with Nigerian and Super Falcons great, Perpetual Nkwocha, on four wins and Cameroonian Samuel Eto’ in the men’s category who won the awards four times.