27th May, 2015
Sunday Akintoye
Nigerians have congratulated Liverpool forward Asisat Oshoala for winning BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.
The 20-year-old forward is the first player to win the new award from the BBC, voted for by football fans around the world. She beat Spain’s Veronica Boquete, German Nadine Kessler, Scot Kim Little and Brazilian Marta to the honour.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on the Diaspora tweeted early today that “last year we celebrated you for making Ikorodu proud. This year, we say thank you for making Nigeria proud. Congrats Asisat.”
Chairman Ikorodu Football Association, Alhaji Lookman said: “I am happy for Oshoala for her BBC award. Her performance in the last few years showed that the player has good future in the round leather game. Having started her football career in Ikorodu, it means that there are more potential players in our area. Let me use this medium to call on the state government to build befitting sports facilities in Ikorodu so that we can produce more Oshoalas in the nearest future.”
First Bank Football Club’s goalkeeper trainer, David Dosu said the BBC award will spur Nigerian female footballers to play better in their respective clubs. He advised the award recipient to remain focused and avoid being distracted. “This is a good news for all female footballers in Nigeria. Oshoala has shown her consistency and commitment in her football career. My advice for her is to keep up the good job,” said Dosu.