NFF Preaches Education, As Oshoala Lands Liverpool Deal

REIGNING African Woman Footballer of the year, Asisat Oshoala, Friday recorded another historic feat by signing a deal with Liverpool Ladies in England. She thus becomes the first player to move from an African club to the English Women’s Super League. Such other players like Eniola Aluko and Yankey, who play in the league, were born in England.

  Oshoala was voted Player of the Tournament at Canada 2014 FIFA U-20 World Cup after winning both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball.

  Although the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has hailed the player for landing the Liverpool’s deal, it counseled yesterday that Oshoala should pay more attention to her education.

  Chairperson of Women Football and board member of the NFF, Chief Mrs. Dilichukwu Onyedinma, told The Guardian Friday that Oshoala’s move to Liverpool was ‘fantastic,’ but added that the player should have considered a club in the United States of America, where she could combine her football career with education.

  “Oshoala is a professional player and she knows what is good for her. I am happy she landed such deal with a big club like Liverpool. I can only advise her at this stage. She must consider her education even while playing football. I don’t know if the system over there in Liverpool will permit her to go to school. I thought she would look the direction of clubs in USA, where the system permits players to combine education with football because this is the time to build her future. All the same, we congratulate her for the success,” Onyedinma said.

  Reds boss, Matt Beard, described Oshoala as “one of the best young players in the world,” adding that Liverpool beat a number of top American and European clubs to her signature.

   “I watched her at the Under-20 World Cup, where she was sensational, and we had early dialogue with her about coming to Liverpool.

  “There’s been plenty of other interest in her in the last few months, but she chose to join us and I’m absolutely delighted.”

  Oshoala, nicknamed ‘Seedorf’ after Dutch legend Clarence, said: “To be able to join the reigning Super League champions is absolutely fantastic.

  “Liverpool Ladies are a massive club with some fantastic players who I believe can help me to develop my game to the next level.

  “It was also a big incentive to be able to play in the Women’s Champions League, which is a huge competition that I’m confident we can do well in.”

  Despite winning the Women’s Champions League, some key players in Liverpool Ladies, including Lucy Bronze and Amanda da Costa have departed, to Manchester City and Washington Spirit respectively.

  Oshoala is Beard’s fourth signing of the window after he also added Satara Murray, Ingrid Ryland and Line Krogedal Smorsgard to his squad.

   It will be recalled that Oshoala also won the Golden Ball award at the 2014 African Women Championship (AWC), which she won with the senior team, Super Falcons, in Namibia.