The Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala was nominated for the first edition of the awards on April 26, Sunday, along with Spain’s Verónica Boquete, German Nadine Kessler, Kim Little of Scotland and Marta of Brazil.
The Liverpool Ladies striker, who is also the African Footballer of The Year, confessed that her nomination came as a shock to her.
“I worked hard last year but I am surprised to be nominated and I feel very appreciated. This award is a very good thing for women’s football.
“It can really help us by encouraging other countries to support their ladies more and treat them the same way they treat the men. A lot of people tried to discourage me but I never let that bother me – I did what I want to do.”
Following the BBC’s announcement, Joy Etim, former Falcons coach, described Oshoala’s nomination as “deserving”, Leadership reports.
“It is well deserved for Asisat to be selected among top female players in the world. I hope she wins if she wins it will encourage other younger players, to work hard.
“I trained Asisat. I was with her at the very beginning of her career. I believe she is yet to actualise her full potential.
“She is a very talented player, I am not worried about her fellow nominees, because she has what it takes to win, I hope people vote for her,’’ Etim said.
According to Gracious Akujobi, the Super Falcons’ media officer, Oshoala has a good chance of winning the BBC award.
“She is young [and] we all saw what she did at the U-20, she won the most valuable player in the U-20 World Cup, she won Glo CAF awards, she has achieved all these in three years of her career.
“She is a vibrant player, all she needs is our votes we need to vote for her. If it’s going by achievement, she is most deserving of all the nominees, none of them can attain this feat by Asisat.
“The fact that she is nominated shows that her effort is appreciated and we are hopeful that she will win, she has what it take earned it.”
The winner of the Women’s Footballer of the Year award will be revealed on the BBC World Service on May 26 after being decided by a public vote. Voting is open and closes on May 11, 2015.
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