Super Falcons Star, Asisat Oshoala Named CAF Goodwill Ambassador

Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala has been officially appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the continental governing body announced today ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2024.

Oshoala, the 30-year-old Nigerian forward widely regarded as one of the greatest talents in women’s soccer, received the honor during a ceremonial event in Rabat, where she joins a select group of CAF ambassadors tasked with promoting youth development, gender equality, and the growth of the sport across the continent.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe praised Oshoala’s journey from the streets of Lagos to global stardom, calling her “a beacon of inspiration for millions of young African girls.”

He highlighted her record as the six-time winner of the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2023), noting that her appointment will amplify CAF’s efforts to expand women’s football participation and infrastructure.

The timing of the announcement, just days before the kickoff of the 13th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on October 18, underscores Oshoala’s role in the tournament’s narrative.

As captain of the Super Falcons, Nigeria’s national team and defending champions, she will lead her squad in Group B against hosts Morocco, Senegal, and Zambia.

Oshoala’s storied career includes scoring four goals at the 2014 Women’s AFCON in Namibia, where she first emerged as a breakout star, and becoming the first African woman to win the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2021 with FC Barcelona.

Now playing for Al Hilal in the Saudi Women’s Premier League, she continues to dazzle with her scoring prowess and off-field initiatives.In her acceptance remarks, Oshoala, who founded the Asisat Oshoala Foundation in 2016 to empower young girls through soccer scholarships and mentorship, vowed to use the platform to bridge gaps in access to the sport.

“This is more than an honor—it’s a call to action,” she said, her voice steady with emotion. “I’ve seen firsthand how football changes lives in Nigeria and across Africa.

“As a CAF Ambassador, I’ll fight for more opportunities for girls to play, dream, and lead—not just on the pitch, but in society.”

Her advocacy aligns seamlessly with CAF’s strategic pillars, including the “CAF Women’s Football Development” program, which aims to increase female participation by 30% by 2030.

The appointment has drawn widespread acclaim from the football community. Nigerian Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusau described it as “a proud moment for Naija,” while global partners like Nike, Oshoala’s longtime sponsor and the GSMA, where she serves as an ambassador for women’s tech literacy, lauded the decision.