Nigerians are sometimes unfair with their criticism of footballers, says Oshoala

Asisat Oshoala, Super Falcons striker, says Nigerians can be unfair in criticising footballers.

Oshoala spoke in a chat with TheCable.

In recent years, several Super Eagles and Falcons players have been the targets of fierce criticism from Nigerians on social media after supposedly bad games.

Oshoala has also been one of the most criticised players in the Falcons team.

Speaking on the criticism that comes with playing for the national team, Oshoala said she has accepted the scrutiny as a “responsibility” that comes with “success and fame”.

The 29-year-old said although some of the comments can “sometimes” be unfair, she has learnt to deal with them.

“There are things that come with success and fame. In this line of business, people celebrate with you when everything is right, and when things go left as well, you expect them to call you out,” Oshoala said.

“But sometimes I feel like they are not being fair, but at the end of the day, it is a type of responsibility that I have found myself in with the level that I am right now.

“I do not have any pressure. I had this conversation with my psychologist the other day, and they said it is all about fun for me right now. Whatever I do regarding soccer, I want to ensure I enjoy it. I do not have any pressure. People will always be expectant, but that does not get to me anymore at this point of my career.”

Oshoala is expected to be among the Super Falcons squad that will represent Nigeria at the women’s football event at the Paris Olympics in July.

Falcons are in Group C alongside Spain, Japan and Brazil.

Oshoala described the group as “very tough” but added that “you cannot really push our team aside”.

She promised that the Falcons “will make sure we go all out and qualify for the next round”.

“We are in a very tough group. We have Brazil, Japan and Spain — world champions. It is a tough one, but the resilience of the current Super Falcon team is one thing that we have. We have a lot of young players who play at top clubs around the world, so you cannot really push our team aside,” Oshoala said.

“So whichever team that is going to get a point from us will work hard for it. This team is a different team and we will make sure we go all out and qualify for the next round.

“It would be a huge honour for me to participate. Every athlete wants to be an Olympian so that it would be a good one.”