Super Falcons trailblazer Asisat Oshoala has revealed her excitement about potentially playing in her first women’s Olympic football tournament.
Despite achieving success with the Nigerian national team and Barcelona in Spain, winning the CAF Player Year Award a record six times, Oshoala has yet to represent her country at the Olympics.
Nigeria had never been to the Olympics since 2008 and will now be heading to the global showpiece alongside Zambia as the African envoys.
Oshoala, who now plays for Bay Football Club after leaving Barcelona last season, is expected to lead the Super Falcons’ charge in Paris.
The 29-year-old has stated that she is eager to compete in the Olympics if she makes the final squad.
“This will be a special event,” she told FIFA.com. “I’ve never been to the Olympics before, but I’ve heard a lot about it. I’m looking forward to it so much—if I make the team!”
Nigeria is in one of the toughest draws alongside Brazil, Japan, and Spain in Group C.
The Super Falcons’ opponents are all ranked in the top ten of the Women’s FIFA World Rankings, while the former African champions are ranked 36th globally.
Oshoala not moved by underdog tag
Oshoala is unfazed by the underdog tag because there is too much quality in the squad capable of competing.
“At the World Cup last year, people said the same thing. They [pundits] said we were in the Group of Death [with Australia, Canada, and the Republic of Ireland] and could not qualify. But we did,” Oshoala said.
“I have a lot of confidence in this team. We have many young players, and we can make things difficult for our opponents. We don’t just think about getting out of the group; I think we can actually walk away with a medal.”
Oshoala is wildly expected to lead Nigeria from the front during the Olympic campaign, and she believes the team’s relentless energy makes them a force to be reckoned with.
“We’re a team that won’t stop running until we hear the whistle. That’s difficult for the opposition teams because they can’t break us,” she said.
