Oshoala urges ‘WAFCON revolution’ as Nigeria chase 11th continental crown

Asisat Oshoala says Nigeria’s “non-negotiable” target is to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations again – but insists the tournament itself must now grow to match the quality of Africa’s players.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons open their Group C campaign against debutants Malawi in Rabat, beginning the defence of a title they reclaimed in dramatic fashion last year by coming from 2-0 down to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 in a memorable final.

The Super Falcons are Africa’s dominant women’s national side, with 10 WAFCON titles to their name – or 12 if the early editions in 1991 and 1995 are counted – and Justin Madugu’s team are once more among the favourites.

For Oshoala, a six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year, lifting the trophy remains the minimum requirement – but she argues that success must no longer be judged solely by the final scoreline.

“Winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations remains non-negotiable,” she has stressed, while making clear that a wider transformation is needed around the competition.

She wants fuller stadiums, stronger TV coverage, more substantial sponsorship deals and far greater visibility for African players as Nigeria pursue a record-extending 11th WAFCON crown.

‘Progress isn’t enough – WAFCON has to catch up’

Oshoala believes African women’s football is at a turning point, with the talent, star power and rising global recognition already in place.

In her view, the challenge now is for WAFCON itself to reach the same level.

She argues that every edition of the tournament must leave a legacy that lasts long after the final whistle – not just in terms of silverware, but in structures, investment and audience growth.

While she acknowledges that WAFCON has made “significant progress” in recent years, Oshoala is adamant that the competition still falls short of its potential and that African football “must continue pushing forward”.

A career that mirrors the game’s rise

Few players have had a closer view of that evolution than Oshoala, who made her WAFCON debut in 2014 and has since witnessed the women’s game in Africa grow from a landscape of sparse opportunities into one producing some of the sport’s leading global names.

Her own journey traces that shift. After starting out in Nigeria, she has played professionally in England, China, Spain, the United States with Bay FC and now Saudi Arabia with Al Hilal.

Reflecting on her career, she has spoken about how football has taken her around the world and completely transformed her life – opportunities she says would never have existed without the game.

Although she recognises that the sport has come a long way, she remains convinced that Africa must be more ambitious in how it presents and supports its women’s football.

Empty seats and untapped audiences

One of Oshoala’s most vivid memories from the last WAFCON is the contrast between the electric atmosphere of the final against Morocco and the sparse crowds that greeted several earlier matches.

While she treasures the noise and passion that night in Rabat, she has been equally struck by how many other fixtures failed to draw significant numbers of supporters.

For her, the gap highlights a major growth area: building awareness and excitement well before the latter stages, both across the continent and internationally.

She believes better promotion and engagement could help ensure that African fans, as well as viewers abroad, follow the competition from the start rather than tuning in only for the final.

African stars no longer need permission

Oshoala is adamant that African women’s football has now reached a level where its leading players no longer have to seek validation on the global stage.

She points to Zambia captain Barbra Banda’s rising international profile and Malawi forward Tabitha Chawinga’s performances in top European competitions as clear evidence that African talent belongs among the elite.

Highlighting Banda’s increasing presence in major commercial campaigns, Oshoala argues that such recognition shows the marketability and appeal of African players.

She also praises Chawinga’s achievements, using them as further proof that the continent’s best are already competing – and excelling – at the highest level.

For Oshoala, the next step is ensuring that when these stars return home for WAFCON, the world is actually able to watch them.

TV coverage as a game-changer

The Nigeria forward believes improved television coverage is central to unlocking the tournament’s economic and sporting potential.

In her view, broader and more consistent broadcasting would not only spotlight players but also draw in clubs, agents and sponsors who are looking to invest in emerging markets and talent.

She has underlined that visibility can directly influence careers – from transfers and endorsements to long-term professional opportunities – and argues that WAFCON must position itself as a showcase rather than an afterthought.

Changing minds off the pitch

Away from medals and titles, Oshoala considers one of her greatest satisfactions to be the shifting perception of girls’ football across Africa.

She has spoken candidly about facing resistance within her own family as a child, at a time when football was widely viewed as a sport for boys.

Those early struggles contrast sharply with the current picture she describes, where more families are encouraging their daughters to play and where young girls can see visible role models across the continent and beyond.

For Oshoala, that cultural change – from suspicion to support – represents a victory that no trophy can match.

Nigeria’s immediate task, and a bigger fight

For now, the Super Falcons’ focus is firmly on Tuesday’s group opener against Malawi as they embark on their latest quest for continental glory.

Another WAFCON title would further cement Nigeria’s dominance and add another chapter to Oshoala’s illustrious career.

Yet she is clear that her ambitions stretch beyond another winner’s medal.

She wants a tournament that reflects the quality of its players, a WAFCON that fills stadiums, captivates TV audiences and secures long-term investment.

Winning again would be special, she accepts – but helping to transform African women’s football forever would, in her eyes, be an even greater achievement.