Lagos – A cross-section of football stakeholders on Monday welcomed the nomination of Super Falcons’ player, Asisat Oshoala to vie for British Broadcasting Corporation ( BBC) Women’s Footballer of the year.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that BBC on Sunday announced Oshoala as one of the five women players nominated to contest for its maiden woman world footballer of the year.
Other nominees are Spain’s Veronica Boquete, Germany’s Nadine Kesseler, Scotland’s Kim Little and Brazilian forward Marta.
Former Falcons coach Joy Etim described Oshoala nomination as deserving.
“It well deserved for Asisat to be selected among top female players in the world. I hope she wins if she wins it will encourage other younger players, to work hard.
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“I trained Asisat I was with her at the very beginning of her career. I believe she is yet to actualise her full potential.
“ She is a very talented player, I am not worried about her fellow nominees, because she has what it takes to win, I hope people vote for her,’’ Etim said.
NAN reports that Osoahala who joined Liverpool FC ladies on Jan. 23 scored her first goal against Aston Villa ladies.
Gracious Akujobi the media officer of Super Falcons told NAN that Oshoala had everything going for her to win BBC award.
“She is young we all saw what she did at the U-20, she won the most valuable player in the U-20 World Cup, she won Glo CAF awards, she has achieved all these in three years of her career.
“She is a vibrant player, all she needs is our votes we need to vote for her. If it’s going by achievement, she is most deserving of all the nominees, none of them can attain this feat by Asisat.
“The fact that she is nominated shows that her effort is appreciated and we are hopeful that she will win, she has what it take earned it,’’ she said
Nduka Ugbade the assistant coach of Nigeria U-17 national team said Oshoala’s record had been tremendous and should be encouraged.
“She is awesome. Within three years she helped her team get into World Cup finals, she went to Europe and her impact is showing already.
“We need to help her win this, she deserves it. Young players should emulate her even energy and determination is a good drive,’’ he said.
The former Rivers Angel player started the year on a good note when she won CAF female football player awards at the Glo CAF awards in January.
The winner will be announced in late May, ahead of the start of 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup on June 6. (NAN)