Mixed reactions have trailed the shirtless celebration of Asisat Oshoala at the ongoing Women’s World Cup tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
The Barcelona forward, who came on as a second-half substitute, swooped in on a defensive mix-up in the 72nd minute and beat an Australian defender for pace, before slotting past the goalkeeper from a tight angle to hand the Super Falcons a 3-1 lead.
The 29-year-old pulled off her jersey and ran to the sideline to celebrate her goal with her teammates, getting a yellow card in the process.
Her iconic photo has since stirred fans on social media, with some questioning her faith and morality.
A Twitter user Olumide Oluyisola wrote, ”Good goal. But due to 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.”
Popular Nigerian comedian, Segun Ogundipe, popularly known as Lafup also weighed in on the conversation saying, “That jersey pull-off is a major move towards a deeper conversation, an epic example of balance for better.”
Sola Egunjobi also expressed fears that her yellow card doesn’t come back to haunt 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.”
