Asisat Oshoala aims on getting down to business for Nigeria in Australia

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria’s senior women’s national team forward, Asisat Oshoala is not afraid of playing in stadiums with huge crowds as the five-time African Footballer of the Year winner is focused on her football business on the field of play.

At the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, many eyes would be on the Nigerian star to help the nine-time African champions scale the hurdle of Olympic champions, Canada, co-host, Australia, and debutant, the Republic of Ireland.

After a goalless draw with Canada, Randy Waldrum’s side hope of goals will always come from the former FC Robo Queens forward.

The huge responsibility lies with Oshoala to lift the team at the World Cup based on her pedigree with European champions, FC Barcelona after winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) twice with the Catalan side.

“One thing about me as a player is when I step my foot on the pitch, I don’t really think about the crowd any longer,” Oshoala, who is the only African woman to make the Ballon d’Or list, told BBC.

“Some people say they get nervous when the crowd is too much. For me, It’s different. I am just out there to do my job, I’m about my business.

“This is top-level football, you have to ask yourself questions.” She added. “Even if you win the game, you have to ask questions like: ok, maybe I could be better. With the pass or whatever here.

“There are a whole lot of kids out there in Africa who actually look up to me, that like me, tell me ‘you are my icon, you’re my idol’ and all of that. Just keep doing what I’m doing, because you don’t know who you’re inspiring out there.

“That’s why I always say when I play games, I  just want to have fun. I want to score goals. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the end,” she concluded.