Asisat Oshoala Announces Retirement From Super Falcons After WAFCON 2024/25.
Nigerian football icon Asisat Oshoala has declared her intention to retire from international football following the 2024/25 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. The 30-year-old forward, widely regarded as one of the greatest female footballers in African history, shared the news on her official Facebook page, marking the end of an illustrious career with the Super Falcons.
Oshoala, who has won a record six CAF Women’s Player of the Year awards (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2023), described her decision as a “legendary exit” and a necessary step to allow emerging talents to shine on the global stage. “At 30, with six African Women’s Best Player awards, I will bow out to start a new chapter after WAFCON 2024/25,” she wrote. “Thank you for your unwavering support. I’m forever grateful for the love and sacrifices shared with me through this journey.”
The announcement comes ahead of Nigeria’s highly anticipated semi-final clash against South Africa at the ongoing WAFCON in Casablanca. Oshoala, who currently plays for Bay FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), has been a pivotal figure for the Super Falcons since her debut in 2013. Her international career is adorned with three WAFCON titles (2014, 2016, and 2018), over 30 international goals, and standout performances in multiple FIFA Women’s World Cups and Olympic Games.
Oshoala’s impact on African football is unparalleled. She burst onto the global scene at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, where she clinched both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball. That same year, she was named the best player and second-top goalscorer at the 2014 African Women’s Championship, cementing her status as a rising star. Her club career has been equally remarkable, with notable spells at Arsenal, Liverpool, and Barcelona Femeni, where she became the first African woman to win the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2021 and the Primera División’s Pichichi Trophy in 2022.
Beyond her on-field heroics, Oshoala’s influence extends to grassroots football and advocacy. A fellow of Rooney FC, a platform dedicated to nurturing football talent, she has inspired countless young African girls through her Asisat Oshoala Foundation and the annual Football4girls tournament in Lagos. Her contributions to the sport earned her the Member of the Order of the Niger honour in 2014 and a place on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2021.
As Nigeria pursue a record-extending 10th WAFCON title, Oshoala remains focused on ending her international career on a high. Her early goal in Nigeria’s 3-0 victory over Tunisia in the opening Group B match underscored her enduring quality. Fans and teammates alike will hope she can deliver one final flourish before embarking on her next chapter.
Oshoala’s legacy with the Super Falcons is secure, not only as a record-breaking player but as a trailblazer who redefined what African women’s football could achieve. As she prepares to hang up her boots, tributes have poured in, celebrating a career that has left an indelible mark on the global stage.
