Nigeria and Liverpool forward Asisat Oshoala has been named as the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.
The 20-year-old forward is the first player to win the new award from the BBC World Service, voted for by football fans around the world.
She beat Spain’s Veronica Boquete, German Nadine Kessler, Scot Kim Little and Brazilian Marta to the honour.
“I would like to say thank you to the BBC, to my fans around the world and to everyone who voted,” she said.
The award is the first of its kind hosted by a global broadcaster
Oshoala, who was the youngest player to be shortlisted, was the leading scorer at the Under-20s World Cup in Canada last summer and was voted the tournament’s best player.
Her performances led Nigeria to the final, where they were narrowly beaten by Germany, and she was also a major influence in the senior Nigeria team who won the African Women’s Championship in October.
That ensured their qualification for this summer’s World Cup in Canada, which begins on 6 June.
Oshoala said the honour was a big lift for Nigeria before the World Cup and would help inspire young players in her homeland.
“It’s a really good thing for us as a team because we now know that we have something great and now we want to go at the trophy,” she said. “We can do it, we did it in 2014 we can also do it this year as well.
“There is going to be a lot of motivation for women’s football in Nigeria now because of this award because there are a lot of fans out there.
“Support for women’s football in Nigeria is now growing very high.
“I know my Liverpool Ladies coach is going to be happy right now. Before I left the UK he called me and said to me ‘don’t worry I hope you win the award and we’re going to celebrate it when you come back’.”
Meanwhile, some football stakeholders have commended Oshoala for the award.
Former ex-international, Friday Ekpo lauded Oshoala for her achievement as the first winner of the award.
Ekpo said it was a well deserved honour for the player, country and Africa continent at large.
He said that the award would serve as motivation for other female players in Nigeria and the continent at large.
“I must congratulate Asisat for this great development and I hope other female players will follow suit by giving all their best when playing,’’ he said.
Also, Frank Ilaboya, the chairman of Edo State Football Association said that her victory was a reward for the good football qualities she possessed.
Ilaboya said that he was hopeful the development would impact on Super Falcons performance at the forthcoming FIFA Women World Cup holding in Canada in June.
“This news is cheering for us in Nigeria, we are proud of her and we will continue to support her with prayers.
“Our girls will be motivated in Canada and we hope they won’t disappoint the country,’’ he said.
Bright Omokaro, another ex-international said that he was hopeful that the victory would ensure that the government pays more attention to female football in the country.
Omokaro congratulated Oshoala for writing her name in the book of football history.
“This is good news as far as female football is concerned in Nigeria.
“ I hope the government will provide an enabling environment for female players and female football to further develop in the country,” he said.
