Seunfunmi Joshua
Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala, also known as ‘Agba Baller’ in Nigerian slang, secured the title of the 2023 CAF Women’s Player of the Year at the CAF Awards 2023. This win reaffirmed her dominance as the unrivalled queen of Women’s Football in Africa, marking an unprecedented sixth title for the Nigerian and FC Barcelona Femení striker.
Born on October 9, 1994, in Lagos, Nigeria, Oshoala’s football journey commenced in the streets of her hometown, where she polished her skills. Progressing through the youth system of FC Robo, a women’s football club in Nigeria, she went on to make a significant impact on the global stage.
Here, we delve into seven (7) instances showcasing Asisat’s undeniable supremacy in Women’s football.
2014 U-20 Women’s World Cup – Golden Boot and Golden Ball Winner
Oshoala first gained widespread attention during the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup where she won the awards as top scorer and best player of the tournament respectively. A feat which earned a move to Liverpool Ladies in FA Women’s Super League.
She later went on to win the Youth Player of the Year and Women African Footballer of the Year at the 2014 Glo-CAF Awards.
BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year – 2015
In 2015, a 20-year-old Asisat Oshoala became the first player to win the new award from the BBC World Service, voted for by football fans around the world. She beat Spain’s Veronica Boquete, German Nadine Kessler, Scot Kim Little and Brazilian Marta to the honour.
The award is the first of its kind hosted by a global broadcaster.
Glo-CAF Women’s Player of the Year Award – 2016
Her performances continued to impress, and in 2016, she made a high-profile move to Arsenal Ladies. Oshoala’s goal-scoring prowess and dynamic playing style earned her several accolades, she notably won the 2016 Women’s Player of the Year Award to cap an exciting year in which she won the top scorer award at the Women’s AFCON in Cameroon.
An eighth title from the competition’s past ten editions.
Won The Super Cup and League Title with Quanjian
The 2017 football season was a successful one for Oshoala, winning the best striker award in the Chinese women’s top-flight league, and won the Super Cup and league title with chinese club Quanjian.
She scored 19 goals in all competitions for her club which earned her the award for best female footballer in the continent at the Aiiteo-CAF Awards (2017).
Equalled the Record for Best Women’s Footballer of the Year – 2019
At the 28th edition of the CAF Awards in 2019, ‘Agba Baller’ like she’s most called by football fans equaled the record of her compatriot Perpetua Nwokocha, winning it a fourth time.
Won The Treble With FC Barcelona Femeni – 2022
During the 2020-2021 season, she became the first African woman to score in a
UEFA Women’s Champions League final. Fast forward to the 2021-22 campaign, Oshoala had arguably the best football campaign yet having featured prominently in Barcelona’s treble charge – the Spanish Women’s Super Cup, Copa de la Reina, and the Primera Division.
She was joint-top scorer of the league having scored 20 goals in 19 league appearances to share the award with Brazilian “Geyse Ferreira”, who managed the same number of goals in 27 appearances for Madrid CFF.
She later went on to be crowned 2022 Best Women’s Footballer of the Year at the Glo-CAF Awards, winning a record fifth time.
6-Time CAF Player of The Year Winner – 2023
Having played an influential role for the Super Falcons and was one of the best players at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, “Agba Baller” claimed an historic sixth title as the Best Women’s Player of The Year.
This feat certifies Asisat Oshoala as the most successful female footballer in African history. She is widely recognized as one of the most talented and accomplished female footballers in Africa.
Final Thoughts
Apart from her accomplishments in the realm of sports, Oshoala serves as a role model for aspiring female footballers and actively promotes women’s sports in Nigeria. She is not only the founder of the Asisat Oshoala Foundation but also established the Asisat Oshoala Academy.
Her achievements have gone beyond conventional boundaries, playing a significant role in increasing the acknowledgment of African women in the global football arena which gladdens the hearts of plenty of Africans worldwide.
