Oshoala Makes 2022 Women’s Ballon d’Or Award Nomination

Oshoala Makes 2022 Women’s Ballon d’Or Award Nomination 

Alfred Kadiri

Reigning African Woman Player of the Year, Super Falcons and FC Barcelona Femeni striker Asisat Oshoala has been nominated for the 2022 Women’s Ballon d’Or award, reports BSNSports.com.ng.

Oshoala was selected alongside the final 20 BallonDor women nominees for the prestigious award and became the first-ever African woman soccer player to make the shortlist.

The Barcelona Femeni ace made the list, despite not having a good performance with the Super Falcons at the 2022 Women's African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) that was held in Morocco.

Oshoala suffered an injury in the opening group game against rivals and eventual champions Bafana Bafana of South Africa, hence missed Nigeria's remaining matches at the tournament.

Despite her injury woes, the five times record-breaking CAF Women's POTY winner did have a superb season with Barcelona Femeni, as she helped the club to win a third consecutive Primera Division with six matchdays to go, and won the Pichichi award for highest scorer with 20 goals in the female Primera Division.

The 27-year-old was the first African to win the award and achieved the feat after scoring 20 goals in 19 league appearances and shared the award with Brazilian Geyse Ferreira, who managed 20 goals in 27 appearances for Madrid CFF.

Organisers of the Ballon d'Or award, France Football also listed four of Oshoala's Barcelona Femeni teammates; Aitana Bonmati, Lucy Bronze, Alexia Putellas and Fridolina Rolfo.

Other nominees are Selma Bacha (Lyon), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Kadidiatou Diani (PSG), Christiane Endler (Lyon), Ada Hegerberg (Lyon), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (PSG),

Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Catarina Macario (Lyon), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave), Lena Oberdorf (Wolfsburg), Alexandra Popp (Wolfsburg), Wendie Renard (Lyon) and

Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit).

Ballon d'Or Feminin is the most prestigious individual award in the women's game. 

The winner will be crowned at the Ballon d'Or ceremony on October 17 in Paris.