Asisat Oshoala doesn’t want to be compared with Ivorian midfielder, Yaya Toure, after winning the African Woman Footballer of the Year award for a third time in Accra, Ghana, on Thursday.
Oshoala won the award in 2014 and 2016, one short of the four African Football of the Year awards won by Toure in the men’s category. But at a reception organised for her by Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited in Lagos on Monday, the China-based striker said she was not under pressure to equal the Manchester City star’s haul.
“I don’t put myself under pressure in anything I do. I just go out there, do my work and train. Whatever comes out of it is fine by me,” the Emzor Paracetamol brand ambassador said.
“I think about where I’m coming from. I think about myself, my family and I do my job right as much as I can. Honestly there are lots of awards I have won that I never thought I would win. In my club, I won the Best Player of the Season award; I never believed I could win it. I was just doing my job. So, whatever that comes out of success is secondary but my primary aim is to get the job done.”
The Dalian Quanjian striker, top scorer in the Chinese league and his club’s best player last season, added that she was undecided about where she would play her club football next, even though she admitted that there were offers from Europe’s big sides.
“I have a lot of offers from big clubs in Europe but to be honest, I’m yet to decide whether to go to Europe or go back to China. I don’t know.”
Oshoala said the endorsement deal with Emzor, which was sealed in 2016, motivated her to contribute to the wellbeing of the girl-child.
She added, “The company chose me and I chose them as well. After a tough year and I get this kind of reception from Emzor, I need to thank them. I want people to think about Emzor when they think of Asisat.
“I just want to use this opportunity to preach to the girl-child out there that no matter where you come out from or been through, you can still get to the top, conquer a lot of challenges. I just want to help the younger generation achieve their dreams.”
Dr. Stella Okoli, Group Managing Director, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, hailed Oshoala as an exemplary figure for Nigerian youths.
“Asisat is a success story for Nigeria. She has worked very hard and she’s a role model for young people especially the young women,” she stated.
Also, Mrs. Uzoma Ezeoke, a Director of Emzor, said, the company had a plan to help Nigerian youths achieve their goals.
“It’s important to have a synergy. Last year, a football academy was set up but we want to do even more and there are opportunities for both boys and girls.”
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