Asisat Oshoala, a six-time African Women’s Player of the Year and star forward for the Super Falcons, announced her decision to retire from international football following the ongoing WAFCON tournament .
The announcement, made via her Facebook page today, stated her intention to make room for emerging players and marked the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigerian football .
She wrote that after six African player awards, stepping aside at age 30 is just right: “I will bow out to start a new chapter after WAFCON 2024/25.” She also thanked supporters for their backing and sacrifices .
Oshoala’s career is unparalleled. She has set a CAF record with six Women’s Player of the Year titles (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023), and has excelled in top European and U.S. clubs including Barcelona and Bay FC .
She broke ground by winning awards in China, Spain, and the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona, then continued her journey in the NWSL with Bay FC.
At WAFCON, she opened the tournament’s scoring tally in Nigeria’s first game against Tunisia and played key roles in guiding the Super Falcons to the semi-finals and beyond .
Teammates and young fans have long viewed her as an inspiration, applauding her work both on and off the field, including her advocacy for African girls through her foundation .
Thanks to these efforts, she leaves a legacy that calls on Africa’s young players to dream bigger and reach higher.
As the Super Falcons chase a record 10th WAFCON crown, Oshoala will likely depart with one more major accolade.