African football icon and Super Falcons legend, Asisat Oshoala, has officially announced her retirement from international football, closing the curtain on a trailblazing career that has inspired millions across the continent and beyond.
The six-time CAF Women’s Player of the Year shared the heartfelt news on Facebook, expressing her gratitude and reflecting on a journey that began over a decade ago.
"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.”
Oshoala made her Super Falcons debut in 2013 at just 18 years old. Her rise to stardom was meteoric—by 2014, she had already captured global attention with her standout performance at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, where she clinched both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball, leading Nigeria to the final.
From that moment on, Oshoala’s name became synonymous with Nigerian women’s football. She went on to represent Nigeria in three FIFA Women’s World Cups (2015, 2019, and 2023), and played key roles in multiple Africa Women Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournaments, helping Nigeria clinch titles in 2014, 2016, and 2018.
Known for her speed, strength, and scoring prowess, the Lagos-born striker didn’t just dominate in green and white. She carved out an illustrious club career, shining brightly with Barcelona Femeni, where she won numerous league titles and etched her name in history as the first African woman to score in a UEFA Women’s Champions League final in 2019.
Now at 30, Oshoala departs the international stage as the most decorated female footballer in African history, with six CAF Player of the Year awards to her name (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2023).
Her final appearance in the national colors is expected at the upcoming 2024/25 Africa Women Cup of Nations, where fans will get one last chance to watch a true legend in action.
Though she’s stepping away from international duty, Oshoala’s legacy is firmly cemented as a role model, a record-breaker, and a fierce advocate for the future of women’s football in Africa.
