End of an era ke? Super Falcons legend Asisat Oshoala breaks silence on retirement rumours after 10th WAFCON title

Following the Super Falcons' hard-fought 3-2 victory over hosts Morocco in the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final, a different kind of headline began to emerge on social media.

Whispers of retirement for Super Falcons legend Asisat Oshoala had been circulating, but the six-time African Player of the Year has wasted no time in emphatically clarifying her future with the national team.

Speaking to reporters after the final, the 30-year-old Bay FC striker, fresh from securing her fourth WAFCON title, described the rumours as entirely baseless, reaffirming her commitment to the national team.

Addressing the retirement claims directly, Oshoala stated, "I don't know where that came from but agenda must agend. I get it, but I'm not bothered. I'm still here. I'm still playing. I'm still doing my job. That's what I'm focused on." 

Oshoala’s powerful dismissal resonated deeply, reassuring millions of Nigerian football fans who view her as unarguably the greatest Super Falcons player of all time.

The notion of Oshoala stepping away seemed out of place, particularly given her inclusion in the final 23-player squad for the WAFCON tournament, where she played a crucial supporting role in Nigeria's triumphant campaign. 

While perhaps not the primary goal-scorer in every match as in her earlier years, her experience, leadership, and tactical intelligence remain invaluable to the team. 

Asisat Oshoala's international journey began over a decade ago in 2013, but it was in 2014 that she truly exploded onto the global stage. 

Her phenomenal performances at the U-20 Women's World Cup, where she claimed both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball, marked her as a generational talent. 

That same year, she helped Nigeria clinch the African Women's Championship (now WAFCON), the first of her four continental titles (2014, 2016, 2018, and 2024).

Her impact extends to the highest echelons of women's football as she holds the unique distinction of scoring in three consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cups, a feat unmatched by any other African player. 

Her club career has also been stellar, with spells at top European clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal, Dalian Quanjian, and particularly Barcelona, where she became a UEFA Women's Champions League winner.

With the next major international tournaments on the horizon, including the Olympic Games and future World Cup qualifiers, the leadership and goal-scoring prowess of 'Agba Baller' will be vital.