Nigeria’s football icon Asisat Oshoala has rubbished viral reports claiming she plans to retire after the next Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), calling the stories fake news and reaffirming her passion for the game.
The six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year, who currently plays for Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, took to social media to deny the rumours that circulated earlier this week suggesting she would hang up her boots after the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco.
Oshoala, 31, was part of the Super Falcons squad that recently sealed qualification for the upcoming tournament after a 3–1 aggregate win over Benin Republic. The victory extended Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football, earning them a record 16th WAFCON appearance.
However, reports falsely claimed the former Barcelona star would retire after leading Nigeria in Morocco, a claim she swiftly dismissed.
According to women’s football journalist Samuel Ahmadu, Oshoala personally debunked the story, insisting she remains fully committed to her career.
“Nigeria star Asisat Oshoala has dismissed the false reports making the rounds, confirming to me that she never made such statements and is not considering retirement any time soon,” Ahmadu wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The clarification has come as a major relief to fans, who continue to view Oshoala as the heartbeat of the Super Falcons.
One of Africa’s most decorated footballers, Oshoala boasts multiple WAFCON titles, several UEFA Women’s Champions League honours with Barcelona, and remains a key figure in Nigeria’s quest for continued dominance on the continental stage.
With her sights now set on Morocco 2026, Oshoala has made it clear she’s far from done.
