“Oshoala is the big star of our team”

Oshoala has been one of the best female Nigerian players recently, and Waldrum believes she can be the game-changer at the World Cup 

Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum has heaped praise on Barcelona femeni striker Asisat Oshoala as he believes she is the game-changer in the team Soccernet.ng reports.

Oshoala has been one of the biggest exports from Africa in recent years. The Nigerian talisman is the only woman from Africa to win the UEFA Champions League.

She has been an important part of Barcelona’s dominance in the Laliga, and coach Waldrum has asserted she is an essential part of his setup.

“Oshoala is an extremely talented player, a great person, a true pro,” Waldrum told FIFA TV.

“She carries a big burden. She plays for arguably the best club in the world and has done really well for them.

“So she’s the big star of our national team, people expect a lot from her and she puts a lot of pressure on herself because she loves Nigeria and she wants Nigeria to be successful on the world stage.

Some questions have been raised about Oshoala’s commitment to the National team, especially as she has not been delivering the goods recently.

However, Waldrum has put those talks to rest, as he explained that Oshoala has a better level of understanding with her club teammates than her Super Falcons colleagues.

“I think people on the outside have difficulty understanding that it’s easier to play for Barcelona than it is your national team,” Waldrum added.

“She’s with her Barcelona teammates every day, they understand each other’s movements. The national team doesn’t get together very often and you have different players from camp to camp.

“But despite the difficulty and the pressure she’s under, she always shows her talent and professionalism with the national team, has a very positive influence on her team-mates, and delivers on the field.

Oshoala returned to action for Nigeria on Friday in a friendly game against Haiti. She scored the second goal to help the Super Falcons to a hard-fought 2-1 win.

She would look to continue with her great form, as the team prepares for the World Cup in July.