Asisat Oshoala Shortlisted for 2020 UEFA Fans Women’s Team of the Year
Super Falcons striker and Barcelona forward, Asisat Oshoala has been shortlisted for the 2020 UEFA Fans Women’s Team of the Year, following her exploits with Barcelona. Impressively, Asisat is the only African shortlisted among the 50 women nominated by UEFA.
UEFA released the shortlist for fan voting on Tuesday, December 2, with 50 selected players who were chosen on the basis of each player’s individual performances in the European and domestic competitions during the 2020 season. The list comprises 5 goalkeepers, 15 defenders, 15 midfielders and 15 forwards.
On why Asisat made the list, UEFA wrote,
“Powerful and sometimes unplayable forward with an unerring eye for goals.”
At the beginning of her football career, Asisat 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.
Asisat Oshoala was named best player and highest goal scorer at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. She was named best player and second top goalscorer as part of the Super Falcons team that won the 2014 African Women’s Championship. Asisat Oshoala was also a member of the Super Falcons team that won the African Women’s Championship in 2016 and 2018. She scored three goals in the 2018 Edition in Ghana.
In September 2014, Asisat Oshoala was awarded the national Nigerian Honor – Member of the Order of the Niger for her giant strides in female football globally and service to the nation. Nigerian National Honors are a set of orders and decorations conferred upon Nigerians and friends of Nigeria who have rendered great services to the benefit of the nation.
Asisat Oshoala has won several awards both locally and internationally:
* African Women’s Championship: 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019
* FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Runner-up: 2014
* Nigerian Women’s Championship: 2014 (Rivers Angels)
* Nigerian Women’s Cup (2): 2013, 2014
* FA Women’s Cup: 2015–16 (Arsenal)
* Chinese Women’s Super League: 2017 (Dalian Quanjian F.C.)
* Supercopa de España (Fc Barcelona)
* Aiteo CAF Best Player Award 2017(Female Category)
* BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year: 2015
* Queen of The Pitch Award: 2014
* African Women’s Footballer of the Year: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019
* African Women’s Youth Player of the Year: 2014
* African Women’s Championship Golden Ball: 2014
* African Women’s Championship Golden Boot: 2016
* FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Golden Boot: 2014
* FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Golden Ball: 2014
* Chinese Women’s Super League Top scorer: 2017
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In the female world of football, Asisat Oshoala continues to make immense contributions and has accomplished great wins that many would have deemed impossible.
For the UEFA’s Fans Women’s Team of the Year, football fans across the continent are expected to select their favorite from the line-up of 50 players who have stood out across European competitions and domestic leagues before the deadline on January 6.
We are indeed proud of Asisat and wish her even more success in the future.