Oshoala inspires academy players after WAFCON triumph
Following her recent triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala paid a heartfelt visit to the Asisat Oshoala Academy (AOA) in Lagos — the very institution she founded to empower young girls in Nigeria through football and life skills. The visit was a special moment for Oshoala, who […]
Following her recent triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala paid a heartfelt visit to the Asisat Oshoala Academy (AOA) in Lagos — the very institution she founded to empower young girls in Nigeria through football and life skills.
The visit was a special moment for Oshoala, who spent time engaging with the players, team officials, and staff. She expressed gratitude for their unwavering support during the tournament, especially knowing they all watched the final together.
“I think it’s very important for me to come say hi to them today. They are my girls and my team. They watched the final together, and I just wanted to be with them,” she said. She also revealed her plans to join their training sessions in the coming week.
Despite her demanding career, Oshoala noted that she stays closely connected to the academy, maintaining communication through the team captain and officials, and regularly checking in on the players’ progress and welfare.
Reflecting on her own challenging beginnings as a young player in Lagos, she explained that the hardships she faced inspired her to create a nurturing platform for others.
In a major step forward, the academy has just welcomed 30 new players — part of its mission to combine sports and academics.
“These girls have shown great talent and dedication, not just in football but also in their studies,” said Head of Operations, Oluwaseun Savage. “It’s not just about playing the game; we are merging education and football to prepare them for a better future.”
As part of their onboarding, the new recruits engaged in high-performance drills, digital literacy sessions at the academy’s computer lab, and toured the tactical analysis room to understand modern match review techniques.