‘I didn't have a female idol when I was younger’ — WAFCON 2024 winner Oshoala laments coverage of women’s football

Asisat Oshoala, one of Africa's most decorated footballers, has opened up about the early challenges she faced growing up without visible female role models in football.

The six-time CAF Women's Player of the Year and four-time WAFCON champion reflected on how a lack of media coverage forced her to look up to male footballers instead.

Speaking on Arise News, Oshoala admitted that during her formative years, women’s football was barely shown on TV, and female players were virtually absent from newspapers and mainstream media.

Because of this, she never had a female footballer to idolise. “I didn’t have a female idol that I looked up to when I was younger because the games were not televised,” she said.

Instead, she gravitated toward male teams like Barcelona and Manchester United, citing players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Louis Saha as her early inspirations.

She added that visibility has improved today, giving young girls more access to the sport and its heroines.

Now a global ambassador for women’s football, Oshoala acknowledged that she owes a lot to the Super Falcons icons who came before her.

Oshoala highlighted legends like Perpetua Nkwocha, Rita Chikwelu, and goalkeeper Precious Dede for paving the way.

"Those are the people that actually paved the way for someone like me," she said. Oshoala, who has played for top clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal, and Barcelona, believes that the current visibility of women’s football can inspire the next generation of female stars in a way she never experienced.

Oshoala was among the recipients of national honours and the promise of $100,000 after helping Nigeria’s Super Falcons clinch a 10th WAFCON title.