Stephen Dunmoye
Super Falcons striker and Barcelona’s forward, Asisat Oshoala has been awarded by the Women’s International Champions Cup for her role in advancing women’s soccer.
The Barcelona forward, was named alongside Colombia and Deportivo Cali forward Linda Caicedo were the two footballers nominated for the third annual WICC Best XI for the prestigious awards.
While England national team coach Sarina Wiegman, journalists Jeff Kassouf and Anna Kessel, U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone and Ally Chief Marketing Officer Andrea Brimmer were other members on the award list.
Two activists, Asma Mirzae and Fran Hilton, were also honoured, as were Angel City co-founder Kara Nortman and Kansas City Current co-founder Angie Long.
Recognising the contribution of Oshoala and the other awardees, the head of the WICC, Susie Fiore said, “The winners work tirelessly to champion the women’s game, often in spite of great obstacles.
“Without the contributions of the 2022 honorees, the women’s game would not have the explosive growth that we’re seeing today.”
Oshoala is Nigeria’s most decorated woman footballer in history. In August, she became the first African woman nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
She is also the first African woman to play in the English league when she featured for Liverpool and Arsenal, winning the 2015 Women’s FA Cup with the Gunners.
A record five-time winner of the African Women’s Footballer of the Year award, Oshoala was the first African to score a goal in a UEFA Women’s Champions League final.
Last year, the 28-year-old became the first African woman to win the UEFA Champions League.