Asisat Oshoala: Former Arsenal and Barcelona star receives first reward for excellence in Saudi Arabia

Nigeria great Asisat Oshoala. Photo Credit: IMAGO

Asisat Oshoala has announced herself in Saudi Arabia in the only way she knows how: by scoring goals and collecting awards, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Super Falcons star has been crowned the Saudi Women’s Premier League Player of the Month for September after a dazzling start to life with Al Hilal Women.

The 30-year-old forward opened her account on debut against Al Qadsiah and followed it up with a goal and an assist in each of her next two outings, against Al Ahli and Neom SC.

Her tally of three goals and two assists in just three matches is a pointer to why she remains one of the most feared forwards in women’s football.

— الدوري السعودي الممتاز للسيدات (@Saudi_WPL) October 1, 2025

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Her impact has been central to Al Hilal’s early momentum. The Riyadh giants boast a perfect record, three wins from three, and have struck 10 goals so far.

The Nigerian touch pic.twitter.com/cdM63rZ4Up

— سيدات الهلال (@alhilal_ws) September 28, 2025

Only Al Nassr, with 13, have managed more. Layla Ali’s Goalkeeper of the Month prize and Jose Herrera’s Coach of the Month award completed a clean sweep for the club.

Asisat Oshoala’s arrival in Saudi football was always going to turn heads. A proven winner at every stop in her career, including Arsenal, Liverpool, Dalian, and Barcelona, the Nigerian striker has built a legacy on breaking barriers.

The Super Falcons star was the first African woman to score in a UEFA Women’s Champions League final, the first to win the competition, and the first to claim Spain’s Pichichi Trophy.

— سيدات الهلال (@alhilal_ws) September 2, 2025

She was nominated for the Ballon d’Or Féminin in 2022, becoming the first African to receive the recognition.

Already decorated with the Nigerian national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger, Asisat Oshoala played her part as the Super Falcons lifted the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title for the 10th time earlier this summer.

Her presence could prove decisive for Al Hilal in what looks set to be a fiercely contested season.

Next up for the club is a showdown with Al Ittihad at the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Stadium, where Oshoala will be looking to extend her dazzling run in blue.

Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele

Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad.

From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.