Oshoala Shocks Nigerians; Reveals How NFF Voted For Another; Snubbed Her At CAF Awards

By Akinwale Kasali

Why did the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, abandon Nigeria’s own at the CAF Awards? Why did they prefer another to her? Why did they vote against her? These are the questions Nigerians are asking the Chairman and Members of the NFF.

Even though Asisat Oshoala was voted the African Female Footballer of the Year, it was because the Football Federation of other Countries voted for her – not Nigeria’s.

What happened to patriotism?

But Oshoala has sent a strong signal to the  NFF, that despite its snub at the CAF awards held a few days ago in Egypt, she remains unperturbed, promising to continue giving her best to both Club and Country.

The Super Falcons Captain and Barcelona Football Club of Spain Forward scored four goals Saturday night in the Spanish women’s league in the 6-0 demolition of Tacon.

The four times African Footballer of the Year took the war to Tacon from the blast of the whistle netting the first goal as early as the 2nd minute, after a timely assist from team mate Marta Torrejón.

The former Arsenal ladies ace was on target again in the 19th, 47th and 63rd minutes to round off her four goal harvest with the remaining two goals coming from Jenni Hermoso and Marta Torrejón.

Oshoala, who in last May, extended her contract with the Barcelona till 2022, has netted over nine goals since joining the side from Chinese side, Dalian Quanjian Football Club.

The 25-year-old has, however, come out to say she bears no grudge against anybody inspite of the NFF’s failure to give her the needed support in achieving the feat as African best.

It was gathered by the Magazine that at CAF Award held in Egypt on Tuesday, NFF representatives who were part of the voters for the award, did not vote for Super Falcons captain and eventual winner of the Africa Women’s Footballer of the Year.

The failure of the NFF representatives in not voting for her could have marred her from achieving the feat, as valuable points and compatriots denied votes expected for her.

In a forensic audit done, Oshoala lost valuable five votes in the first phase of the voting conducted among technical committee members as Nigeria and NFF member, Ahmed Yusuf did not vote.

Surprisingly, all eligible voters of Nigeria linked with the NFF, like Osasu Obayiuwana, a member of the NFF Reforms Committee, voted Oshoala third in his choice of five.

His first choice was Malawian footballer with Jiangsu Suning in the Chinese Women’s Super League, Tabitha Chawinga.

Another NFF Reforms Committee member, and presenter of Naija Made on Super Sport, a cable Station, Chisom  Mbonu Ezeoke, also voted Malawi’s Chawinga first, while Oshoala got her vote for a second place.

The third Nigerian who voted on the platform of media is Tunde Adelakun, a backroom staff of the Super Eagles and the man who brokered the original deal that Gernot Rohr had with Nigeria.

He voted South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana first and Oshoala second. Among the legends, Perpetua Nkwocha, a former Super Falcons player, voted Oshoala last, giving her just a point while giving her valuable five points to Cameroon’s Ajara Nchout.

This basically shows a conspiracy among the NFF members to intentionally deny Oshoala of the award.

Reason for this action is yet to be ascertain, but the NFF in its tweet congratulated Oshoala over the award success, saying there was no ill feeling on the part of the NFF.

In a tweet by Oshoala on her Twitter handle, “It only made the victory more sweet …..CHILD OF THE CONTINENT. It’s a blessing to know how much lives I’ve touched and inspired across AFRICA in my young age. All love from this side “.

Her five-star performance on Saturday is an indication that the award for her is only a ginger and a call for further hard work even as Nigeria only few days back signified interest to host the 2020 edition of the African Women Nations Cup following the withdrawal of Congo-Brazzaville.