At a Glance
- Oshoala is the first African woman to score in a UEFA Champions League Final.
- She’s a six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year and global football ambassador.
- Oshoala leads Bay FC’s NWSL charge while mentoring African girls through her foundation.
Asisat Oshoala is not just Africa’s top female footballer—she’s making history on the world stage. At 30, the dynamic forward has conquered Europe’s biggest trophies, shattered barriers, and now brings her talent to the NWSL with Bay FC.
But Oshoala’s influence extends far beyond goals; she’s also a vocal advocate, mentor, and inspiration for aspiring athletes across Africa.
From Lagos streets to international glory
Born in Ikorodu, Lagos, on October 9, 1994, Oshoala began her journey with FC Robo before joining the renowned Rivers Angels in 2013.
Her breakout performance came at the 2014 FIFA U‑20 Women’s World Cup, when she clinched both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball while leading Nigeria to the final. That tournament firmly placed her on the radar of global clubs.
Success with Super Falcons
Oshoala made her senior debut in 2013 and has since earned over 60 caps with more than 37 goals.
She scored Nigeria’s first-ever Women’s World Cup goal in 2015 and became the first Nigerian woman to score in three different World Cups.
Her dominant displays at the African Women’s Cup of Nations helped Nigeria secure multiple titles, further establishing her as a continental icon.
Climbing the European ladder
In 2015, Oshoala moved to England, signing with Liverpool before joining Arsenal in 2016.
At Arsenal, she won the FA Women’s Cup and earned the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award.
She then transferred to Dalian Quanjian in China (2017–2019), where she was Golden Boot winner in 2017 and helped back-to-back league titles.
FC Barcelona: Cementing legacy
Oshoala joined Barcelona Femení on loan in January 2019 before making the move permanent months later.
Over five seasons, she scored 117 goals in 162 appearances, becoming the team’s fourth-highest scorer.. Her honors include five Liga F titles, four Copa de la Reina trophies, and two UEFA Women’s Champions League titles (2021 and 2023).
She made history as the first African woman to score in a UEFA Champions League Final and the first to win the trophy.
The Bay FC challenge
In February 2024, Oshoala signed with expansion side Bay FC in the NWSL. Her first season showcased potential—she scored seven goals and led Bay FC into the playoffs alongside Racheal Kundananji.
The 2025 campaign has presented challenges, with no goals in six matches and concerns over her reduced role. Yet Oshoala remains determined: “I just care about how I feel and how comfortable I get every day,” she told the San Francisco Chronicle.
Style, strengths & awards
Nicknamed “Super Zee” and likened to Clarence Seedorf, Oshoala is known for her explosive pace, power, and tactical intelligence..
Her trophy cabinet includes six African Women’s Footballer of the Year awards (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023), BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year (2015), and IFFHS Best CAF Woman Player of the Decade (2011–2020).
Beyond the pitch: Empowerment & advocacy
Off the field, Oshoala founded the Asisat Oshoala Foundation in 2019 to empower girls through football and education.
She is also a Nike ambassador, made the Forbes 30 under 30 list in 2021, and serves on FIFA’s technical advisory group for women’s football.
A renewed mission
Oshoala’s journey continues with dual ambitions: rekindling her scoring form at Bay FC and leading the Super Falcons in the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and 2027 Women’s World Cup .
For young African girls dreaming big, her message is clear: “African players are just as good as anybody”
Changing the narrative
With every goal, every trophy, and every speech, Asisat Oshoala reshapes the global perception of African women’s football.
She stands as a testament to talent, perseverance, and the power of representation—transforming opportunity into impact, one strike at a time.
