Five-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, has become the first African to score at three different Women’s World Cup tournaments.
The Barcelona forward achieved the feat after scoring the winning goal in the Falcons’ crucial win against Australia in the ongoing 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The 28-year-old had suffered a knock from the goalless draw against Canada in the first game and started the match on the bench.
The Ikorodu-born striker was brought on in the 64th minute for Uchenna Kanu. The match was still one-all after Kanu cancelled Emily van Egmond’s opener for the Matildas.
Moments after Oshoala’s introduction, the Falcons went ahead with Osinachi Ohale putting her body on the line to pounce a stray ball into the net.
Oshoala extended Nigeria’s lead in the 77th minute after a defensive mix-up by the Australian. Mackenzie Arnold, the Matildas’ goalkeeper, was out in pursuit of a longball into her goal area, but a lapse in communication resulted in Alanna Kennedy nodding the ball past the onrushing goaltender.
The Super Falcons forward pounced on the fluff and placed home the ball into the net to give Nigeria victory despite a late consolation from Kennedy.
Remarkably, the strike was Oshoala’s third goal in as many World Cups for Nigeria, setting a record in the process.
Recall that the history maker scored first on her World Cup debut in a 3-3 against Sweden in Canada 2015.
Oshoala netted her second World Cup goal in a 2-0 victory over South Korea in France 2019.
Speaking in a post-match victory, she said “Scoring in three World Cups is me just having fun and just enjoying my career”.
“I’m just a young girl going out there to have fun, and I’m glad I’m able to walk on this journey with my teammates because they are amazing and hardworking people.”
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