Nigerian Flag Bearer: Asisat Oshoala, other Falcon who undoubtedly deserve the honor in Paris

Profiling Tochukwu Oluehi as one who could have been given the honor of being the Nigerian flag bearer for the 2024 Paris Olympic opening ceremony in last episode has opened door for conversations.

Tobi Amusan doing this isn’t a bad option especially for her recent success in Athletics. And considering the fact that the last woman from the tracks to ever wear such cap was the great Mary Onyali in Atlanta in 1996, but then why not give someone with more clout, bigger profile and more accolades in the person of Asisat Oshoala

Asisat Oshoala

Six time African football of the year, four LaLiga Feminine titles, two Champions and eight domestic cups in Spain, the former FC Barcelona Feminine star undoubtedly deserve to be in the conversation.

Oshoala, who previously had spells with Liverpool and Arsenal, with her scoring and leadership skills has helped Nigeria’s Super Falcons win three African Women Championship, the most prestigious women football tournament in Africa.

Having someone like Oshoala lead team Nigeria at the opening ceremony will most likely have more Nigerians anxiously waiting for the Green-White-Green color to be displayed on Friday owing football being the most engaging sport in the country and Oshoala being the most decorated Nigeria international.

Just last week the ESPN compiled a list of “25 best athlete of the century” and the most ranked athlete of the five Nigerians on the list is Oshoala with names like Austin Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo Mikel Obi, or even Amusan not even given recognition.

With these perspective and also realizing that this may likely be her only and last Olympic appearance, the 29 year-old Bay Fc forward should have been considered for the honors of being the flag bearer knowing 27 year-old Amusan still has at least one more global fiesta to attend.

By Olujimi Dare Ogun