Asisat Oshoala: Nigeria and Barcelona superstar shares her long path to stardom

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria and Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala like many African footballers started playing with boys at a tender age.

The Robo Queens product has had a stellar career with the Camp Nou side winning all available titles for Spanish giants, including the UEFA Women’s Champions League, as the first and only African to win the European crown.

A source of inspiration for young girls across Africa, Oshoala is a centurion with Barcelona after scoring more than 100 goals in four years with the Catalans, a form she hopes to maintain till the end of the season.

“Growing up, I love football and started playing with friends in school. They are all boys. So it was a bit weird because all girls are like it’s too difficult they can’t do it but I enjoyed doing it anyway,” She told DAZN.

“Even though I am the only girl but it was fun for me. With the kind of culture we have in Africa, we have believed that it’s a male-dominated sport. We just don’t see so many women or so many girls.

“When I was in Secondary School, I had the opportunity to continue my education. Then I moved to Port Harcourt and the opportunity came for me to play for the national teams.”

She hugged headlines at the international stage when she guided Nigeria to the final of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2014, winning the Golden Boot and bronze award despite the West Africans lost to Germany.

That experience according to Oshoala changed her parents’ countenances and interest in her football career.

She added: “At the beginning of the whole thing, my dad was never supportive. He wanted me to be focused because I was brilliant. After the U-20 Women’s World Cup, I won the Golden Boot and the golden ball. He then said that I am good at what I do and he really doesn’t want to stop my dream.”

The joint top scorer in the current Spanish Liga F season with 18 goals is aiming to surpass her last season’s feat with Jonatan Giraldez’s side after what she described was a dream move from China.

“I joined Barca from China.” She continued. “I thought it was a dream because I use to see their page on Instagram. I used to admire the players there. They are playing at the highest level. But then the possibility came up. I had the opportunity and took it. It was just like a dream come true for me.

“It’s been amazing. We have the best facility. We train with the best facility. We train on a good pitch. We have high-level coaches and top players as well. It’s just professional. The least they can ask from their players is dedication.”