Asisat Oshoala has been named Saudi Women’s Premier League Player of the Month for September.
The Nigerian striker scored three goals and provided two assists in her first three matches.
Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala has been voted the Saudi Women’s Premier League Player of the Month for September after a strong start at Al Hilal.
The 30-year-old striker, who moved to the Riyadh club from Bay FC in September, secured 55 per cent of over 37,000 votes in a fan poll organized by the league. Moroccan forward Ibtissam Jraïdi of Al Ahli finished second with 44 per cent, while Al Nassr’s Tanzanian attacker Clara Luvanga got one per cent.
Confirming the award, the league body announced on Wednesday: “In her first month in our league: 3 goals, 2 goal assists. Asisat Oshoala of Al Hilal wins the award for the best player of the month.”
Oshoala has featured in all three matches this season, scoring three times and setting up two goals to help Al Hilal maintain a perfect winning run without conceding. Jraïdi also scored three goals with two assists but suffered one loss with Al Ahli. Luvanga leads the scoring chart with four goals for defending champions Al Nassr, who are aiming for a fourth straight league title.
The award comes ahead of a highly anticipated clash this weekend between Al Ahli and Al Nassr, which is expected to shape the early title race.
Oshoala’s move to Saudi Arabia has been described as a milestone for women’s football in Nigeria. She signed a two-year deal with Al Hilal after a short spell in the United States.
Her career includes a remarkable six years at Barcelona, where she netted 107 goals in 149 games, winning five Liga F titles and two UEFA Women’s Champions League trophies. She also previously played for Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chinese side Dalian Quanjian, winning league titles and several individual honours along the way.
The Nigerian joins a growing list of compatriots in the Saudi league, such as Ashleigh Plumptre and Francisca Ordega at Al-Ittihad, Chinonyerem Macleans at Al-Shabab, and Rita Chikwelu at Al-Riyadh.
