By Seyi Babalola
Asisat Oshoala of the Super Falcons celebrated in a shirtless gesture during the current Women’s World Cup competition in Australia and New Zealand, prompting conflicting emotions.
The Barcelona striker, who entered the game as a second-half substitution, pounced on a defensive blunder in the 72nd minute, outran an Australian defender for speed, and then slid a tight-angle shot past the goalie to give the Super Falcons a 3-1 lead.
In order to celebrate her goal with her colleagues, the 29-year-old took off her shirt and raced to the sideline, receiving a yellow card in the process.
Since then, her famous image has sparked debate among admirers on social media, with some criticizing her morality and beliefs.
A Twitter user Olumide Oluyisola wrote, ”Good goal. But did so with so much indiscipline, she (Oshoala) just got an absolutely useless yellow card, which may become a problem for the team if they go far in the tournament.”
Journalist Debola Adebanjo leaped in Oshoala’s defence, saying the picture of her celebration will go viral across the globe.
“An icon is an icon. Oshoala’s shirtless celebration will be picked up by every media from now till the end of this World Cup. When you are big, you are just that big.”
Sola Egunjobi is also concerned that her yellow card would not come back to harm the Falcons.
He wrote, “Hope she doesn’t miss a key game after a second yellow card. We need to be careful about these thing in football.”
Ojoko Timipre expressed delight at her celebration.
“Never knew Asisat Oshoala had a flat stomach (tummy). I like girls with flat tummy and above all including her flat tummy she is better than Mudrky of Chelsea, Martial of Manchester United, and Ferran Torres of FC Barcelona. She is the total package.”
Segun Ogundipe, widely known as Laf, a prominent Nigerian comedian, chimed in, stating, “That jersey pull-off is a major move towards a deeper conversation, an epic example of balance for better.”
