Asisat Oshoala, the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champion and prolific striker, recently shared reflections on her early football idols. Growing up, the scarcity of women’s football coverage meant she admired male players and clubs, especially Barcelona and Manchester United.
A veteran of three World Cups and four WAFCON titles with Nigeria’s Super Falcons, Oshoala explained that during her youth, televised women’s matches were rare. This lack of visibility pushed her to look up to male football icons instead, shaping her passion for the game.
The six-time CAF Women’s Player of the Year acknowledged that this early influence was a key factor in her development, showing how important representation is for nurturing future talent.
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Editorial
Oshoala’s story highlights a crucial truth: visibility in sport matters profoundly. When young girls cannot see women succeeding on big stages, their inspirations often come from male role models, which can limit the perception of what is possible.
This reflection invites us to consider how far women’s football has come yet how much work remains. Oshoala’s rise against these odds is inspiring, but it also calls for sustained investment in broadcasting and promoting female athletes so that every child can see someone who looks like them.
We must create a world where girls growing up today have female heroes readily visible on screens and in stadiums. The successes of Oshoala and her teammates prove what dedication and opportunity can achieve. Yet, to widen the pipeline of talent, representation must no longer be an exception but the rule.
The sport’s future depends on this visibility it fuels dreams and drives ambition. Oshoala’s journey reminds us all that giving young players the chance to find their own idols among women athletes is as important as any trophy.
Did You Know?
- Asisat Oshoala has won the African Women’s Footballer of the Year award six times, more than any other player.
- She scored the winning goal in the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final, earning Nigeria the title.
- Oshoala became the first African woman to play in the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals with Arsenal.
- She played a key role in Liverpool FC Women’s promotion to the FA Women’s Super League in 2020.
- Oshoala is also an advocate for girls’ education and gender equality, regularly participating in outreach programmes across Africa.
