Nigeria national team captain, Onome Ebi has showered her teammate Asisat Oshoala with praises for her incredible form at the club side ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand which will begin from July 20th – 20th August 2023.
Oshoala returned to the team for the first time since missing the 2022 Women’s Nations Cup (WAFCON) in Morocco due to injury.
The Barcelona star also missed Nigeria’s Revelation Cup campaign in Mexico last February, pulling out of the squad due to injury.
The five-time African Best Player of the Year has, however, been in red-hot form for her club side, though yet to replicate it in the Green and White shirt of Nigeria.
The Nigeria international played a vital role in Barcelona’s league triumph last season, finishing as the division’s joint-top scorer with 19 goals in 20 matches to become the first African to win the prestigious Pichichi award.
Despite how injuries did not help her cause, Oshoala still had a better year individually, scoring four goals in five Champions League games for La Blaugranes.
The 28-year-old continued from where she stopped as she has now recorded 29 goal contributions this season. She has scored 24 goals and registered 5 assists in 30 matches for the club, and she is on course to win the Pichichi once again.
Meanwhile, the nine-time African champions will be banking on the brilliance of Oshoala to make history when they face the Republic of Ireland, Australia, and Canada in Group B.
Nigeria, who have been present at the competition since its inception in 1993, has managed just one quarter-final outing in the tournament which was in 1999.
However, Nigeria defeated World Cup co-host New Zealand 3-0 in a preparatory game, extending their winning streak to three after a seven-match winless streak.
The captain described Oshoala’s availability for the competition as a blessing to the team, saying the FC Barcelona striker is one of the best on the team.
“It’s a blessing to have her in this team. She is a great professional and an example for the whole team.
“Her performance at club level is incredible. Many people forget that few months ago she was injured and today she is up on the pitch putting up huge performances both in the local league and the Champions League.
“She is one of the best players in the World and speaking to her, she is also hugely waiting for the World Cup and has already set her targets for the tournament. She is doing everything she can to be on top form.”
MOLATsportgist 