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Tag: Asisat Oshoala

  • Nigeria’s Oshoala nominated for 2023 Ballon d’Or award

    Nigeria’s Oshoala nominated for 2023 Ballon d’Or award

    Super Falcons and Barcelona forward, Asisat Oshoala has been shortlisted for the 2023 Ballon d’Or award.

    Her nomination was announced on Friday via France Football’s social media pages.

    The Nigerian forward was nominated for the Socrates award category of the Ballon d’Or.

    The Socrates award identifies the best solidarity actions carried out by committee champions.

    She is one of five individuals nominated for the award created last year and named after the late Brazil football legend Socrates.

    Vinicius (Brazil/ Real Madrid), Antonio Rudiger (Germany/Real Madrid), Marcus Rashford (England/Manchester United), Alex Morgan (USA/San Diego Wave) are the other nominees.

    The reigning African women’s Player of the Year was also a nominee for the Ballon d’Or in 2022.

    Oshoala is presently in camp with the rest of her teammates in Australia in preparation for the FIFA Women’s world Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

  • Int’l Friendly: Okoronkwo, Oshoala score as Super Falcons beat Haiti 2-1

    Int’l Friendly: Okoronkwo, Oshoala score as Super Falcons beat Haiti 2-1

     

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons defeated Oceanian side Haiti by 2-1 with goals from Esther Okoronkwo and Asisat Oshoala in both halves.

    Although Oshoala’s 22nd-minute goal was chalked off for offside she still managed to get on the scoresheet.

    In the 28th minute,  Atletico Madrid star, Rasheedat Ajibade aimed for the goal but her well-struck shot hit the woodwork.

    The Super Falcons’ breakthrough came five minutes before the break with Esther Okoronkwo hitting the net with a powerful free-kick.

    The scoreline stood at 1-0 until the end of the first half.

    The Super Falcons took total control of the game after the break pinning the Haitians to their half.

    Oshoala added the second from a goal-mouth scramble two minutes before the hour mark.

    Not wanting to be disgraced, the Haitians came out of their shell and nearly pulled a goal back but goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie produced a superb save to deny them.

    The Haitians profited from a defensive mixup to pull one back 15 minutes from time.

    The Haitians piled pressure on the Super Falcons afterward but failed to find a breakthrough.

    Nnadozie made a double save to deny the Haitians a minute from time.

    The nine-time African champions will take on New Zealand in another friendly next week Tuesday.

  • Positive vibes, confidence in Super Falcons’ Antalya camp ahead Haiti, New Zealand games

    Positive vibes, confidence in Super Falcons’ Antalya camp ahead Haiti, New Zealand games

    Star forwards Asisat Oshoala and Desire Oparanozie have arrived in the camp of Nigeria’s senior women national team, Super Falcons ahead of two friendly matches in the Turkish city of Antalya.

    Serial award-winner Oshoala has not played for the nine-time African champions since the Women Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco nine months ago, while barnstorming forward Oparanozie is linking up with the squad for the first time since the Aisha Buhari Cup Tournament in Lagos in September 2021.

    The arrival of the two respected markswomen generated positive vibes at The Sense De Luxe Hotel camp of the Falcons, ahead of Friday’s clash with World Cup debutants Haiti at the Emir Sports Complex.

    Also in camp now are goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie, Inyene Etim and Yewande Balogun, defenders Onome Ebi, Glory Ogbonna, Tosin Demehin, Rofiat Imuran and Ashleigh Plumptre, midfielders Toni Payne, Christy Ucheibe, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, Regina Otu, Deborah Abiodun and Halimatu Ayinde, and forwards Esther Okoronkwo, Gift Monday, Rasheedat Ajibade and new invitee Vivian Ikechukwu.

    Only defender Michelle Alozie and forwards Jennifer Echegini and Uchenna Kanu, all based in the United States of America, were still being expected as of Wednesday evening.

    The Super Falcons have snatched back their winning mentality following the defeat of World Cup-bound Costa Rica at the Revelation Cup Tournament in Mexico City in February, and will be in great mood for Friday’s clash with the Haitians.

    World Cup co-hosts New Zealand will be next in line for the Falcons’ fire on Tuesday, at the Mardan Sports Complex also in Antalya.

  • Nigeria Pitch Awards: 9TH Award Ceremony Winners

    Nigeria Pitch Awards: 9TH Award Ceremony Winners

    Super Eagles and Italian Serie A top scorer, Victor James Osimhen and FC Barcelona Femeni top finisher, Asisat Oshoala were named the King and Queen of the Pitch respectively at the 9th Award Ceremony of the Nigeria Pitch Awards held at the Johnwood Hotel, Abuja on Friday 24th March 2023.

    Award organizers insisted on staging the colourful ceremony despite the Super Eagles’ shock loss to the national team of Guinea-Bissau at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium earlier.

    Speaking at the well attended ceremony, Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards stated that one shock loss by the team should not obliterate the exploits and achievements of the players and the entire team.

    ‘The Eagles are ranked 5th in Africa; they have 19 appearances at the AFCON finals and have emerged winners 3 times. The Eagles have made 6 appearances at the World Cup finals since 1994.’

    Speaking further, Philips said in the current season in Europe, Victor Osimhen had scored 21 goals in the extremely competitive Italian Serie A; Asisat Oshoala had netted 18 goals in the Spanish Ladies Premier League. Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey have helped their respective teams to successful outings.’

    ‘We also cannot ignore the exploits of our local coaches, administrators, football sponsors and football journalists. These people have put in their best and deserve to be identified, recognized and honoured. We have a lot to celebrate’, Philips concluded.

    The Award Ceremony was witnessed by AIG Aishatu Abubakar, the highest ranking woman police officer in the NPF, AIG Olukayode Egbetokun, AIG Zone 7, members of the Super Eagles, representative of SIAO Partners, Mr Alan and Mr Elli of Hawthorn Suites and guests.

    Francis Uzoho, the AC Omonoia Nicosia FC shot stopper was named the Goalkeeper of the Year while the AFC Ajax left-back Calvin Bassey emerged the Defender of the Year. Alex Iwobi, who has averaged a total of 39 passes per match with a pass completion rate of 80 percent, and has 6 assists for his English Premier League side, Everton FC, won the Midfielder of the Year and the current Napoli FC goal poacher, Victor Osimhen also picked up the Striker of the Year award for the second season.

     

    In the other categories, the NPFL defending champions and The Pride of Rivers, Rivers United won the Team of the Year while Stanley Eguma, one of the longest serving coaches in the NPFL and coach of Rivers United carted home the Coach of the Year award. Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, Former 1st Vice-President of the NFF and organizer of the Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Foundation Mini-Tournament, who won the Sam Okwaraji Award for commitment to Nigerian football, who won the award last year, retained the award for a second time.

    Lagos State again emerged the State with the Best Grassroots Football

    Development Programme at the 9th Award Ceremony. The Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium in Uyo was voted the best Football Pitch of the Year while His Excellency, Nyesom Wike CON, the Executive Governor of Rivers State was voted the Football Friendly Governor of the Year for the second time. Nigeria’s sport betting giant, BET9JA emerged Corporate Sponsor of Football Award.

    In the media categories, Johnny Edward, Punch Newspapers correspondent was voted the Football Journalist of the Year – Print for the second time. The versatile Supersport presenter, Mozez Praiz, starved off stiff competition from Promise Efoghe (Television Continental) and Cecilia Omoregbe (Channels TV) to emerge winner of the Football Journalist of the Year – TV.

    In the Football Journalist of the Year – Radio category, Tony Bekederemo of Sports Radio 88.9 Brila FM emerged winner for the third time since first winning it in 2018. Tobi Samuel Adepoju of Oganla Media won the Football Journalist of The Year – Online category.

    The Nigeria Pitch Awards was first staged in 2013 in Calabar, the Cross Rivers state capital. Since it’s maiden edition, it has remained steadfast and committed to the annual event. While explaining the unique nature of the awards, Nelson Olafisoye, the Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Pitch Awards stated that there are over 150 primary voters spread across the 36 states and the FCT.

    ‘All votes are collated and verified by SIAO Partners, Nigeria’s foremost indigenous accounting firm. After collation and auditing, the results are then announced by the accounting firm. This is why the awards is arguably the only sport awards in Nigeria and one of the few audited awards in Africa’, he concluded.

  • Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala mocks Chelsea on Twitter

    Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala mocks Chelsea on Twitter

    Super Falcons striker,  Asisat Oshoala has mocked Chelsea players and fans following their disappointing 2-1 loss to Fulham in the Premier League on Thursday night.

    It’s not been rosy for the Stamford Bridge side in recent times after losing its last three games and could only manage just one win in the last ten games.

    Chelsea are presently locked on the 10th position on the log and risk missing out of continental competitions for next season.

    Willian scored the opener for Fulham in the 25th minute before Koulibaly restored parity for Chelsea in the 47th minute. Carlos Vinicius netted the winner for the hosts in the 73rd minute as Chelsea suffered another loss.

    After the game, Oshoala expressed happiness on Twitter to see Chelsea losing the game and took jibes at all their fans.

    Her Tweet reads ”Normally Chelsea fans no deserve happiness and they know it, no peace for the wicked.” Meanwhile, Chelsea are currently occupying 10th position on the Premier League table with 25 points after 18 games.

     

  • Oshoala receives pinchichi award for last season

    Oshoala receives pinchichi award for last season

    Super Falcons and Barcelona of Spain  forward, Asisat Oshoala has officially received the Pichichi award for finishing as the top scorer in the Spanish Iberdrola last season 2020/21.

    Oshoala scored 20 goals for Barcelona Femeni in the Spanish women’s football league to emerge the highest goal scorer of  last season.

    Oshoala was pictured smiling upon receiving the trophy in Spain on Wednesday.

    The lanky female soccer star featured 19 times for Barcelona Femeni last season.

    The former Arsenal star shared the award with Madrid CFF’s Geyse da Silva Ferreira.

    Geyse, a Brazilian is now her teammate at Barcelona after linking up with the Blaugurana in the summer.

    Oshoala is the first African female  to scoop the coveted  award.

  • UEFA omits Oshoala from Ballon d’Or award finalist

    UEFA omits Oshoala from Ballon d’Or award finalist

    The Union of European Football Associations, UEFA, has removed Super Falcons and Barcelona striker, Asisat Oshoala, from the finalist of the prestigious Ballon d’Or award.

     

    UEFA announced Beth Mead, Lena Oberdorf and Alexia Putellas as the final three contenders in the running for the 2022 UEFA Women’s Player of The Year accolade.

     

    Last week Oshoala was named in a 20-woman list of nominees for the 2022 Women’s Ballon d’Or, making her the first-ever African woman to achieve the feat.

     

    The Barcelona Femini woman’s nomination comes after she was named the CAF Women’s Player of The Year for a record fifth time last month, surpassing fellow countrywoman Perpetua Nkwocha’s four awards.

    UEFA omits Oshoala from Ballon d’Or award finalist
    Asisat Oshoala

     

    The Lagos-born is the only African, male or female, to win the award such a number of times.

     

    Last season, Oshoala was at her very best, despite her playing time being blighted by injuries. On the occasions she played, she was always on with her scoring boots, firing Barca to the domestic league title.

     

    Despite missing about seven weeks due to injury last season, Oshoala finished as the Spanish topflight league’s top scorer with Barcelona Femeni, netting 20 goals in 19 games, tied with Madrid CFF’s Geyse Ferreira.

     

    The feat earned her the Pichichi, again the first time an African woman would be winning the award.

     

    Though Barca fell to perennial rivals Lyon in the Women’s Champions League final, it was a success for the year Nigerian striker, who first burst onto the scene in 2014, leading Nigeria’s women’s U-20 side to the final of the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada against Germany.

     

    However, the Falcons striker did not make the final list which was whittled down to just three names ahead of next week’s award ceremony in Istanbul.

     

    Arsenal attacker Mead is rewarded for an impressive showing at the Women’s Euros, where she was crowned Player of the Tournament after leading the scoring charts in England’s triumph on home soil.

     

    Oberdorf won the Young Player of the Tournament award after helping Germany to another final, having also played a crucial role in Wolfsburg winning the domestic double last season.

     

    Spain star Putellas was absent from the tournament through injury, but the 2021 Ballon d’Or Feminin winner enjoyed the most prolific season of her club career thanks to 34 goals in Barcelona’s clean sweep of Spanish trophies in 2021-22.

  • Nigeria’s Oshoala nominated for female category of Ballon d’Or

    Nigeria’s Oshoala nominated for female category of Ballon d’Or

    Super Falcons and Barcelona Women FC striker, Asisat Oshoala has been nominated for the Women’s Ballon d’Or player of the year award.

    She was nominated for the award based on her exploits with Barcelona Feminine during the just concluded 2021/22 football season.

    Oshoala emerged as the league’s highest goalscorer at the end of last season after scoring 18 goals.

    Oshoala was recently named CAF Women’s player of the year for a record-breaking time. She is the first person to win the CAF award five times. If she wins the award she will become the first Nigerian to be crowned a Ballon d’Or winner

    The other nominees for the 2022 Women’s Ballon d’Or are Selma Bacha, Fridolina Rolfo, Vivianne Miedema, Lucy Bronze, Sam Kerr, Christiane Endler, Lena Oberdorf, Kadidiatou Diani, Catarina Macario, Alexia Putellas, Alexandra Popp, Aitana Bonmatí, Wendie Renard, Alex Morgan, Beth Mead, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Millie Bright, Trinity Rodman, and Ada Hegerberg.

  • CAF Award: Amaju Pinnick congratulates Asisat Oshoala

    CAF Award: Amaju Pinnick congratulates Asisat Oshoala

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Council Member, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has congratulated Super Falcons’ forward Asisat Oshoala on her historic feat of becoming the African Woman Player of the Year for the fifth time, at the CAF Awards ceremony that took place in Rabat, Morocco on Thursday.

    Oshoala had a couple of years ago become only the second player to win the award for the fourth time, after compatriot Perpetua Nkwocha.

    “The Nigeria Football Federation celebrates Asisat Oshoala for her feat, which is well-deserved, and we urge her to continue to be a role model for both the Nigeria girl-child and the African girl-child. She is walking proof of what is possible if you pursue your dream with diligence, commitment, resilience, and belief in God.

    “I want to use her as a point of contact to encourage our women footballers and the girl-child in Nigeria to work hard and without ceasing at their dreams and the goals they set for themselves, and success will always come. It is not enough to set goals or admire role models; you have to work assiduously, have temperance, and be ready to surmount odds and obstacles to get to your destination.”

    Oshoala, who plays for FC Barcelona Feminil in Spain, was the top scorer and best player at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Canada in 2014 and has since played at the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals. She has also played in and won with Nigeria the Women Africa Cup of Nations in 2014, 2016, and 2018.

    At the Awards Ceremony in Rabat on Thursday, Senegalese star forwards Sadio Mane, who also won the African Player of the Year diadem in 2019, was crowned the Player of the Year.

  • 2022 CAF awards: Full List of Winners

    2022 CAF awards: Full List of Winners

    It was a clean sweep for Senegal on Thursday in Rabat as national team captain and new Bayern Munich signing Sadio Mane was named African Player of the Year.

    National team head coach Aliou Cisse was named Coach of the Year, after leading his team to their first continental title and another FIFA World Cup qualification.

    Pape Matar Sarr, an 18-year-old midfielder with English Premier League club side Tottenham Hotspur, was also named the Young Player of the Year.

    Senegal were also named the National Team of the Year, after winning the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January in Cameroon.

    Mane retained the CAF African Player of the Year title, having also won the 2019 edition which was the last edition.

    He recently left England’s Liverpool after a trophy-laden spell with the Reds, becoming the German Bundesliga’s marquee player after signing for Bayern Munich.

    It was another Senegalese player in Simba’s Pape Ousmane Sakho who won CAF’s Goal of the Year in the mixed category for men and women.

    That was for his spectacular overhead strike for Simba against Asec Mimosa in a CAF Confederation Cup group game.

    However, it was not Senegal all the way as Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala won a record fifth African Player of the Year award.

    Oshoala on her part now overtakes her compatriot Perpetua Nkwocha, to stand alone as a record five-time winner of the African Player of the Year accolade.

    Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco were also named African Men’s Club of the Year, just as Mamelodi Sundowns Women were named Women’s Club of the Year.

    South Africa’s national women’s head coach Desiree Ellis was named Africa’s Coach of the Year in the women’s football category.

    She will lead Banyana Banyana into Saturday’s final match of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) against hosts Morocco.

    Ghana’s Evelyn Badu scooped a double on the night as she won the women’s Interclub Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards.

    She had led Hassacas Ladies all the way to the final match of the inaugural Women’s Champions League and winning the tournament’s Golden Boot in the process.

    The men’s Interclub Player of the Year was won by legendary Al Ahly and Egypt goalkeeper and captain, Mohamed El Shenawy.

    The awards were held at the impressive Mohamed VI Technical Centre in Sale, Rabat.

    It was attended by a gathering of Africa’s top football personalities and football stars.

    The women’s National Team of the Year will be named after Saturday’s final match between hosts Morocco and South Africa at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

    The Full List of Winners:

    Player of the Year (Men)

    Sadio Mane (Senegal and Bayern Munich)

    Player of the Year (Women)

    Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria and FC Barcelona)

    Interclub Player of the Year (Women)

    Evelyn Badu (Ghana & Sekondi Hasaacas Ladies/Alvaldsnes)

    Interclub Player of the Year (Men)

    Mohamed El Shenawy (Egypt & Al Ahly)

    Young Player of the Year (Women)

    Evelyn Badu (Ghana & Sekondi Hasaacas Ladies/Alvaldsnes)

    Young Player of the Year (Men)

    Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal and Tottenham Hotspur)

    Coach of the Year (Women)

    Desiree Ellis (South Africa)

    Coach of the Year (Men)

    Aliou Cisse (Senegal)

    Club of the Year (Women)

    Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

    Club of the Year (Men)

    Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco)

    National Team of the Year (Men)

    Senegal

    Goal of the Year

    Pape Ousmane Sakho (Senegal & Simba)