Asisat Oshoala

Nigerian footballer (born 1994) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Asisat Lamina Oshoala OON (born 9 October 1994) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Saudi Women's Premier League club Al Hilal and the Nigeria national team. She is widely regarded as one of the best female football players of her generation,[3][4] and is one of the most celebrated African female footballers of all time, having won African Women's Footballer of the Year a record six times.[5][6]

Full name Asisat Lamina Oshoala[1]
Date of birth (1994-10-09) 9 October 1994 (age 31)[2]
Place of birth Ikorodu, Nigeria
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[2]
Quick facts Personal information, Full name ...
Asisat Oshoala
OON
Oshoala with Bay FC in 2025
Personal information
Full name Asisat Lamina Oshoala[1]
Date of birth (1994-10-09) 9 October 1994 (age 31)[2]
Place of birth Ikorodu, Nigeria
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[2]
Position Forward
Team information
Current team
 Al Hilal
Number 80
Youth career
Robo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2013 Robo
2013–2015 Rivers Angels (6)
2015–2016 Liverpool 9 (3)
2016–2017 Arsenal 11 (2)
2017–2019 Dalian Quanjian 20 (23)
2019 → Barcelona (loan) 7 (7)
2019–2024 Barcelona 101 (85)
2024–2025 Bay FC 38 (8)
2025– Al Hilal 14 (12)
International career‡
2010–2014 Nigeria U20 11 (7)
2013– Nigeria 72 (40)
Medal record
Women's Football
Representing  Nigeria
African Championships
Gold medal – first place2014 NamibiaNigeria
Gold medal – first place2016 CameroonNigeria
Gold medal – first place2018 GhanaNigeria
Gold medal – first place2024 MoroccoNigeria
* Club domestic league appearances and goals
‡ National team caps and goals as of 5 August 2026
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Oshoala previously played for the English clubs Arsenal and Liverpool, the Chinese club Dalian, and the Nigerian clubs Rivers Angels and FC Robo. She won the 2015 FA Women's Cup with Arsenal, two league championships and a cup title with Dalian, and the 2019–20 Copa de la Reina and the 2019–20 Supercopa de España Femenina with Barcelona. In 2019, she became the first African player to score a goal in a UEFA Women's Champions League final, and in 2021 she became the first African woman to win the UEFA Champions League.[7] The following season, she became the first African woman to win the Primera División's Pichichi Trophy, and in August 2022 she was the first African woman nominated to the Ballon d'Or Féminin. In 2024, Oshoala became the first African player to win the UEFA Champions League three times.

Oshoala was the highest goal scorer at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and was named the best player at the tournament. She was also named the best player and second highest goal scorer with the Super Falcons team, which won the 2014 African Women's Championship.

In September 2014, Oshoala was made a Member of the Order of the Niger by President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan. In 2021, she was named in the Forbes 30 Under 30.[8] She is popularly called "Àgba Baller", which means "Legendary Footballer" in her local parlance. In July 2023, after her performance against Australia in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, Oshoala became the first African female footballer with a million followers on Instagram.[9]

Early life

Oshoala attended Air Force Primary School in Victoria Island, Lagos, and completed secondary school at Aunty Ayo International School in Ikoyi, Lagos.[10] She said her parents were not supportive when she dropped out of school to pursue a football career.[11] Oshoala is a Muslim.[12]

Club career

Liverpool

On 23 January 2015, Oshoala became the first African player to compete in England's Women's Super League, when she joined Liverpool.[13] The club's manager, Matt Beard, called her "one of the best young players in the world".[14][15] Despite missing two months of the 2015 season with a knee injury,[16] Oshoala scored three goals in the nine games in which she played.[17] Her first goal of the season was the game-opener of a 2–1 win against Birmingham City on April 1.[18] In January 2016, Liverpool reported that a transfer bid from Arsenal had activated the release clause in Oshoala's contract and that she was in negotiations with the London club.[19][20]

Arsenal

In March 2016, Oshoala signed with Arsenal.[21] On 14 May, she helped the club win the 2016 FA Women's Cup Final,[22] which marked Arsenal's 14th title.[23] Oshoala made 13 appearances for the club during the 2016 season and scored two goals, with Arsenal finishing in third place in the league with a 16–4–2 record.[a]

Dalian Quanjian

On 10 February 2017, Oshoala signed with the Chinese club Dalian (大连女子足球俱乐部).[26] During the 2017 season, she scored 12 goals, helping the club win the league championship. She was awarded the league's Golden Boot award for most goals scored.[27] The same year, she scored four goals during the 2017 Women's Super Cup as Dalian defeated Shanghai 5–3 to win the championship.[27] In October 2018, Dalian won the league championship for the second consecutive year.[28]

FC Barcelona

Asisat Oshoala dribbles the ball during the 2019 UEFA Women's Champions League Final on 18 May 2019
Oshoala dribbles the ball during the 2019 UEFA Women's Champions League Final.

On 31 January 2019, the Spanish club FC Barcelona Femení signed Oshoala on a loan deal until the end of the season.[29] On May 31, Barcelona announced her full transfer to the club and an extension until 2022.[30] Oshoala scored seven goals in her seven appearances for the club during the 2018–19 season.[18] Barcelona finished in second place in Liga F with a 25–2–3 record.[31]

Oshoala scored Barcelona's only goal in a 4–1 defeat to Lyon in the 2019 UEFA Women's Champions League Final, becoming the first African to score in a Champions League Final.[32] During the 2019–20 season, Oshoala scored 20 goals in her 19 appearances for Barcelona, including four goals in a 6–0 win against CD Tacon on January 11, 2020.[18][33] Barcelona finished in first place during the regular season with an undefeated 19–0–2 record. Oshoala's 20 goals ranked second in the league behind the 23 goals of teammate Jenni Hermoso.[34]

Oshoala scored the game-opening goal in the fourth minute of the 2019–20 Copa de la Reina semi-final against Seville, and also provided two assists as Barcelona achieved a 6–0 win.[35] In the final, Barcelona defeated Logroño 3–0 to win the championship.[36] On 21 August 2020, Oshoala provided the assist for Kheira Hamraoui's game-winning goal in the 2019–20 UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final against Atlético Madrid.[37]

Oshoala with Bay FC in 2025

On 24 March 2021, Oshoala scored the game-winning goal in Barcelona's 3–0 win over Manchester City during the first leg of the 2020–21 Champions League quarterfinals.[38] On 16 May, she became the first African woman to win the UEFA Champions League as Barcelona defeated Chelsea 4–0.[7] On 10 March 2022, Oshoala signed a two-year contract extension that would keep her at Barcelona until 30 June 2024.[39]

During her time at Barcelona, Oshoala made 162 appearances and scored 117 goals, becoming the fourth-highest goalscorer in the club's history. She won 14 trophies, which included two trebles.[40][41] Having taken part in all competitions of Barcelona's 2023–24 season before leaving at the end of January, she also won the team's quadruple.[42]

Bay FC

On 1 February 2024, it was announced that Oshoala had joined the U.S. football club Bay FC .[b] In her debut match, Oshoala scored the only goal in Bay FC's 1–0 victory over Angel City.[46]

Al Hilal

On 2 September 2025, Oshoala signed for the Saudi Women's Premier League club Al Hilal.[47] She scored in her first match with the club against Al Qadasiah.[48] During the 2025 Saudi Women's Premier Challenge Cup – Winter edition, she scored a hat-trick in the quarter-final and another in the semi-final.[49] Al Hilal progressed to the final, where they were defeated by Al-Nassr.[50] At the 2025–26 Saudi Women's Cup, Oshoala again scored a hat-trick in the semi-final, and Al Hilal again lost to Al-Nassr in the final.[51] She finished the season with 24 goals and 6 assists.[49]

International career

In September 2013, Oshoala's club coach Edwin Okon was serving as the Nigeria national team interim manager. He called her up to the senior national team for a friendly against world champions Japan.[52] Oshoala was named as the best player at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and was the top goalscorer at the tournament with seven goals. She was named the best player and the second top goalscorer with the national squad that won the 2014 African Women's Championship.[53][54] In September 2014, Oshoala was made a Member of the Order of the Niger by President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan. Oshoala won the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year award in 2015.[55]

During the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, Oshoala scored her first World Cup goal in Nigeria's 3–3 draw with Sweden on 8 June.[56] Nigeria was subsequently defeated by Australia and by the United States, and did not advance to the knockout stages.[57][58] Oshoala was a member of the national squad that won the African Women's Championship in 2016 and 2018. She scored three goals during the 2018 tournament.

Oshoala vice-captained the national team at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France.[59] During the team's group stage match against South Korea, Oshoala scored once as Nigeria won 2–0.[60] She was named Player of the Match, and her goal was nominated for Goal of the Tournament by FIFA.[61][62] Nigeria advanced to the knockout stages, where they were defeated 3–0 by Germany in a controversial match heavily influenced by video assistant referee (VAR).[63]

Oshoala was called up to the Nigeria squad for the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.[64] On 16 June 2023, she was included in the 23-player Nigerian squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.[65] In Nigeria's group stage game against Australia at the World Cup, Oshoala scored the third goal of the match, which made her the first Nigeria player to score during three consecutive FIFA World Cups, having previously scored in the 2015 and 2019 tournaments. She also became the first African to score during three different FIFA Women's World Cups.[c]

Oshoala was called up to the Nigeria squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics.[69] On 20 June 2025, she was named in the Nigeria squad for the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.[70]

During the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Oshoala scored crucial goals in consecutive group-stage matches to help Nigeria advance to the quarter-finals. On 1 August 2026, she scored her 15th career WAFCON goal in the eighth minute of a 1–0 victory against Zambia, securing three vital points for the ten-woman Super Falcons. In Nigeria's final Group C match on 5 August 2026, she opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 21st minute during an eventual 6–2 triumph over Egypt.

Style of play

Oshoala is known for her explosive pace, strength, and clinical finishing. She combines athleticism with technique, making her one of the most feared forwards in women's football.[d] She thrives in counter-attacking situations, and knows how to time runs behind defenses and position herself well in the box. She is strong in the air, capable of scoring with headers, and is calm and effective in one-on-one situations with goalkeepers. She can play as a central striker or wide forward.[e] Oshoala found success as a forward for Nigeria's youth teams, but made most of her early appearances for the senior national team as an attacking midfielder. She has been given the nicknames "Seedorf"—after the Dutch footballer Clarence Seedorf—and "Superzee".[f]

Activities off the pitch

Oshoala is a brand ambassador for Nike.[80] In 2019, she launched the Asisat Oshoala Foundation, which aims to empower girl footballers in Africa.[81][82] The foundation hosts the annual Football4girls tournament in Lagos.[83] In 2021, Oshoala was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30, and was appointed to FIFA's technical advisory group on the growth and advancement of women's football.[g]

Career statistics

Club

More information Club, Season ...
Club Season Division League Cup Continental Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Liverpool 2015-16 Women's Super League 932093
Arsenal 2016-17 Women's Super League 13220152
Dalian Quanjian 2017 Chinese Women's Super League 10121012
2018 810810
2019 2121
Total 20232023
Barcelona 2018-19 Liga F 771031118
2019-20 192067513028
2020-21 261820943722
2021-22 192031612822
2022-23 282131954027
2023-24 963121148
Total 1089218103413160115
Bay 2024 NWSL 268268
2025 120120
Total 388388
Al Hilal 2025-26 Saudi Women's Premier League 1412561918
Total career 20214025163613263169
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International goals

Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Oshoala goal.
More information No., Date ...
List of international goals scored by Asisat Oshoala
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
124 May 2014Stade Régional Nyamirambo, Kigali, Rwanda Rwanda1–04–12014 African Women's Championship qualification
22–0
37 June 2014Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria Rwanda2–08–02014 African Women's Championship qualification
47–0
514 October 2014Sam Nujoma Stadium, Windhoek, Namibia Zambia5–06–02014 African Women's Championship
622 October 2014Sam Nujoma Stadium, Windhoek, Namibia South Africa1–02–12014 African Women's Championship
72–0
825 October 2014Sam Nujoma Stadium, Windhoek, Namibia Cameroon2–02–0 2014 African Women's Championship
921 March 2015Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria Mali3−08−0Football at the 2015 African Games – Women's qualification
105−0
118 June 2015IG Field, Winnipeg, Canada Sweden2–23–32015 FIFA Women's World Cup
1220 November 2016Limbe Stadium, Limbe, Cameroon Mali2–06–02016 African Women's Championship
134–0
145–0
156–0
1623 November 2016Limbe Stadium, Limbe, Cameroon Ghana1–01–12016 African Women's Championship
1726 November 2016Limbe Stadium, Limbe, Cameroon Kenya3–04–02016 African Women's Championship
1811 June 2018Agege Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria Gambia2–06–02018 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualification
195–0
2024 November 2018Cape Coast Sports Stadium, Cape Coast, Ghana Equatorial Guinea2–06–02018 Women's Africa Cup of Nations
213–0
224–0
2327 February 2019AEK Arena, Larnaca, Cyprus Austria1–21–42019 Cyprus Women's Cup
246 March 2019Tasos Markos Stadium, Paralimni, Cyprus Thailand1–03–02019 Cyprus Women's Cup
2512 June 2019Stade des Alpes, Grenoble, France South Korea2–02–02019 FIFA Women's World Cup
263 September 2019Agege Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria Algeria1–01–02020 CAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
277 October 2019Agege Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria Ivory Coast1–11–12020 CAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
2823 February 2021Arslan Zeki Demirci Sports Complex, Ilıca, Turkey Equatorial Guinea2–09–02021 Turkish Women's Cup
293–0
304–0
319–0
327 April 2023Marden Sports Complex, Alanya, Turkey Haiti2–02–1Friendly
3327 July 2023Lang Park, Brisbane, Australia Australia3–13–22023 FIFA Women's World Cup
3431 October 2023MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria Ethiopia3–04–02024 CAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
3529 June 2025Ziaida Sports Complex, Mohammedia, Morocco Ghana2–03–1Friendly
366 July 2025Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca, Morocco Tunisia1–03–02024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations
375 June 2026Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, Nigeria Senegal1–02–1Friendly
388 June 2026 Senegal3–03–0
391 August 2026Al Medina Stadium, Rabat, Morocco Zambia1–01–02026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations
401 August 2026Al Medina Stadium, Rabat, Morocco Egypt1–06–2
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Honours

Rivers Angels
Arsenal
Dalian Quanjian
FC Barcelona
Nigeria

Individual

Orders

See also

Notes

  1. [a]
    Attributed to multiple references:[24][18][25]
  2. [b]
    Attributed to multiple references:[40][43][44][45]
  3. [c]
    Attributed to multiple references:[66][67][68]
  4. [d]
    Attributed to multiple references:[71][72][73]
  5. [e]
    Attributed to multiple references:[74][75][76]
  6. [f]
    Attributed to multiple references:[77][78][79]
  7. [g]
    Attributed to multiple references:[8][84][85]

References

External links

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