Female African Player of the year, Asisat Oshoala
recently joined Liverpool after her superlative performance at the
Female U-20 World Cup, where she starred for Nigeria and won both the
Golden Boot and Golden Shoe awards for the highest goalscorer and the
Most Valuable Player.
In this exclusive interview with naij.com from her base in Liverpool, she explains how she has been able to adapt to her new environment and her target for the new season. Excerpts below
How has it been since you were crowned Africa’s best female football player?
It has been really good for me because it has added many feathers to my cap. And it has boosted my personality a great deal. All thanks to God for the successes and everything I have become since I burst into limelight.
Did you envisage your sudden rise to fame?
I wouldn’t say I saw this coming, though. Having said that, I was not surprised when the fame started coming because I had prayed to God to lift me up. So we can say they are answers to my daily prayers.
The move to Liverpool, can you call it a dream come true?
Of course it is. Because it is the dream of every player to play at the peak and Liverpool ladies represent one of the best female football teams in the world. So, it is really a dream come true for me.
How have you been able to settle down so quickly in the club?
Honestly, I do not think I am settled yet. But I am getting into the system gradually and I am sure that I will definitely get up there in no distant future.
How competitive is your position, ‘centre forward’ at Liverpool?
It is very competitive majorly because I’ve got senior players in the same position but I am not in anyway under any pressure because I believe in team work.
What was the feeling like when you scored on your debut?
Anyone would have been excited and I surely was very happy. It was a really good experience grabbing a goal on my debut.
Did you think you were going to score that early?
I didn’t really think about scoring. I would say I just grabbed the opportunity when it came and that was it.
Is there a target in the new season?
Yes, there is a target and it is to help my team retain the league and win more cups. I also want to step up beyond my present level, I want to attain greater height.
Where do you see yourself in the nearest future?
Like I said, I see myself at the very echelon of female sports in the world because that is where every football player dreams of finding herself.
How do you relax these days since you’re now a ‘big’ girl?
(Smiles)… I am not a big girl, I still do my thing the way I used to. Everybody knows what they want and for me that has not been a problem because I have a schedule that I follow.
How have you been coping with the men that have been running after you with your huge success?
(Laughing)… You like to ask too many questions, I am still my very self.
It would be recalled that Oshoala won both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball – as Player of the Tournament – at last ear’s Under-20 World Cup Finals, and became the first player from Africa to compete in the Women’s Super League.
She was described by as “one of the best young players in the world”, by Liverpool authorities after she penned a contract with the club.
In this exclusive interview with naij.com from her base in Liverpool, she explains how she has been able to adapt to her new environment and her target for the new season. Excerpts below
Asisat Oshoala
It has been really good for me because it has added many feathers to my cap. And it has boosted my personality a great deal. All thanks to God for the successes and everything I have become since I burst into limelight.
Did you envisage your sudden rise to fame?
I wouldn’t say I saw this coming, though. Having said that, I was not surprised when the fame started coming because I had prayed to God to lift me up. So we can say they are answers to my daily prayers.
The move to Liverpool, can you call it a dream come true?
Of course it is. Because it is the dream of every player to play at the peak and Liverpool ladies represent one of the best female football teams in the world. So, it is really a dream come true for me.
How have you been able to settle down so quickly in the club?
Honestly, I do not think I am settled yet. But I am getting into the system gradually and I am sure that I will definitely get up there in no distant future.
How competitive is your position, ‘centre forward’ at Liverpool?
It is very competitive majorly because I’ve got senior players in the same position but I am not in anyway under any pressure because I believe in team work.
What was the feeling like when you scored on your debut?
Anyone would have been excited and I surely was very happy. It was a really good experience grabbing a goal on my debut.
Did you think you were going to score that early?
I didn’t really think about scoring. I would say I just grabbed the opportunity when it came and that was it.
Is there a target in the new season?
Yes, there is a target and it is to help my team retain the league and win more cups. I also want to step up beyond my present level, I want to attain greater height.
Where do you see yourself in the nearest future?
Like I said, I see myself at the very echelon of female sports in the world because that is where every football player dreams of finding herself.
How do you relax these days since you’re now a ‘big’ girl?
(Smiles)… I am not a big girl, I still do my thing the way I used to. Everybody knows what they want and for me that has not been a problem because I have a schedule that I follow.
How have you been coping with the men that have been running after you with your huge success?
(Laughing)… You like to ask too many questions, I am still my very self.
It would be recalled that Oshoala won both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball – as Player of the Tournament – at last ear’s Under-20 World Cup Finals, and became the first player from Africa to compete in the Women’s Super League.
She was described by as “one of the best young players in the world”, by Liverpool authorities after she penned a contract with the club.
Culled From Naij.com
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