Oshoala, Osinachi’s Clubs Engage In Protest Against COVID-19 Protocols

Barcelona Femeni of Spain striker, Asisat Oshoala and her compatriot, Ohale Osinachi of Real Madrid were both at the centre of uneasy circumstances on Sunday, as all players from both teams staged a protest to demand better COVID-19 protocols for female players. BSNSports.com.ng reports that Barcelona won the Primera Iberdrola El Clasico 4-1, with Oshoala scoring twice, only after both sets of players stood motionless for a few seconds after the initial whistle to send a message to the Spanish soccer federation. Several women’s games have been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic in Spain, including five for league leaders Barcelona and, when action eventually got underway, Oshoala inspired the champions to their 13th win of the season at Estadi Johan Cruyff. Barca’s victory was boosted after ‘Super Zee’ scored her fourth brace of the season, as she made the best of her eighth league start of the term, spearheading the attack, and utilized the chances to increase her season tally, while Spanish forward, Hermoso made a brilliant finish to singlehandedly double the lead of Barcelona nine minutes later. The hosts continued their search for more goals as Caroline Graham Hansen teed up the four-time African Women Footballer of The Year inside the six-yard box for an easy tap-in for a third of the day eight minutes from the break. After the break, Barcelona continued from where they left off in their first half as Oshoala grabbed her brace and a fourth of the match, but Madrid suffered a major set-back in the encounter when they were reduced to 10-player after goalkeeper María Rodriguez caught the ball outside the 18-yard box in the 72nd minute. The visitors were gifted a penalty after Mapi Leon was sent off for a poor challenge inside the area and Olga Carmona converted from the spot nine minutes from full-time for their consolation goal. Oshoala lasted the duration of the encounter and has now scored 13 goals and provided two assists in 13 league matches for Cortes’ side this season, and the result moves Barcelona five-point clear at the top of the table, with 39 points from 13 matches and they will eye their 14th consecutive win of the campaign at Levante on February 3. Oshoala’s side have a two-point lead over second-place Levante. Real Madrid, in their first season with a women’s team, sit third, but Barca have three games in hand compared to their rivals.