Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala has dismissed speculations about her retirement from the team, reports Completesports.com.
There were reports during the just concluded 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations that Oshoala will quit international football after the competition.
Oshoala has however said she will continue playing for the team.
“To be honest with you, I’m always ready. I always tell my girls to stay ready, and I do the same,” the Bay FC players told Channels TV.
“You can be called on at any time, and when you get called on, go out there and show yourself.
“I don’t know where the retirement talks came from, but people will always speak. I get it, so I’m not bothered.
“I’m still here, I’m still playing, I’m still doing my job, and that’s what I’m focused on.”
Super Falcons Legacy
Oshoala played her part as the Super Falcons won a record-extending 10th title at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The 24-year-old scored Nigeria’s opening goal of the competition, and featured as a substitute in the 3-2 comeback victory over the Atlas Lionesses in the final.
It was the former Barcelona Ladies striker fourth WAFCON title with the Super Falcons.
She has scored 37 times in 61 appearances for Nigeria.
By Adeboye Amosu
7 Comments
I was surprised when i heard people saying Oshoala is retiring after Wafcon. I said retired at 30? I think she can still give Super Falvons at least 5 more yrs .. However i feel her form has dropped since leaving Barcelona.. The skills and instinct are still there. Just for her to keep working on her fitness. We need her in the world cup.
Rather we need our best players who are in the best physical conditions to represent us at all times.Unfortunately,Oshoala the most decorated female athlete in Africa has lost form.She is a shadow of her former self.Though the remnants of her past self could be seen but her capabilities has waned,so for these factors she’s incapable of playing international football for a big country like Nigeria with abundance of talents.She should bow out and we’ll celebrate her for that,she has served her country well and should be honoured for that.
Meanwhile,at 30 technically you shouldn’t be seen as old but if you’re playing like a 40 yrs old even though you’re 30 then the call for early retirement won’t be out of place.
Even so,younger and performing players should be given a chance the likes of Imade,Gift Monday and co..Should make the attack very competitive.Whether Oshoala retires from the national team or not because it’s her choice to make that decision and it’s within her right,however,the best players must be invited at all times by the coach of the super falcons.
Experience which is the reason to invite these players “Musa” for super eagles “Oshoala” for the super falcons is good when a player is performing at a very high level regardless how old thy’re but if the athlete is underperforming i do not see how the team will benefit from their experience.
442
No, not 5 more, you made a huge mistake, in my own view I think she should continue for at least 25 more years, maybe she can retire when she is 55 years.
Someone who contributes nothing, nada, zero to football in any way shape or form and you think she should continue taking up the space of capable people??
You should retire from talking about football period!
I think many of the older players are eyeing the 2027 FIFA WC (Women) to make their last hurrah. I can count at least 7 that would likely announce retirement after the tournament.
Thankfully, Nigeria only needs to qualify for the 2026 WAFCON semifinals to secure qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027. Morocco already qualified for the next WAFCON as host again.
Oshoala should hire a personal trainer, who might help her regain her scoring instinct because she has the movement and power still. Just watching her shooting without tenacity or proper timing hurts.
Every striker should watch clips of Eto and Obafemi Martins. I’m sure they will gain something unique from this great finishers. Clips of Osimhen will also help. Shalom!!!
442 you are correct.
@Four Four Two 5 more years ke no make it 10 years lol.. I think we as Nigerians should stop being so sentimental. This is why we always stay stuck with players waay past their expiry date. Take a look at Adjibade for Instance, Always there when Super Falcons need her always reports to camp puts her head down like a professional and works very humble and you can see in her performance. Oshoala on the other hand many injury concerns of late missed a few big tournaments and key games and she also got quite big headed over the last few years , if you compare her to Okoronkwo for instance she is way below the level, when she came on in the finals even though the other players legs were tired Oshoala looked like she had been playing 90mins. she could not even trap the ball, I think we have better players in the rooster now than Oshoala enough Exeperience and youth Echegini is solid only 24 years and so forth we dont need Oshoala anymore!!!.
Let us stop this Relying on players who should move on. Especially in Super Eagles.