Nigerian Star Asisat Oshoala Gifts Coach a New Toyota Highlander

“You are blessed, you are a blessing, I can’t thank you enough.”

Those were the words of Coach Emmanuel Osahon, founder of FC Robo Queens, after Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala handed him the keys to a brand-new Toyota Highlander.

The emotional moment was captured on video and has since spread across Nigerian football circles.

Oshoala, a six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year, surprised her former grassroots coach in recognition of the role he played in launching her career.

She joined FC Robo as a 15-year-old in 2009, at a time when her parents opposed her sporting ambitions and wanted her to focus on education.

Osahon provided guidance and support during those early years, helping her navigate the challenges of pursuing a professional football career.

In a 2023 interview with BBC Sport, Oshoala revealed that her parents did not want her to play sports at all, and that she sometimes had to run to her grandmother’s house to escape fights at home.

Her grandmother encouraged her to keep playing.

Osahon’s role extended beyond coaching — he helped Oshoala convince her parents to allow her to pursue football.

Nearly two decades later, the forward returned to show her gratitude in a tangible way.

The video shows Osahon, dressed in his sportswear, approaching the new vehicle, entering the car and inspecting the interior with visible excitement.

FC Robo International, the club Osahon founded, disclosed the gesture in a statement on Thursday.

“Your presentation of a Toyota Highlander to Coach Osahon is a beautiful demonstration of gratitude and a reminder that you have not forgotten the people who played important roles in your journey,” the club said.

The statement also recalled Oshoala’s earlier contribution to the club — a bus she donated during her early years in Europe.

“Such acts of kindness go beyond material value; they reflect loyalty, gratitude and a lasting connection to your roots,” the club added.

Osahon’s influence on Nigerian women’s football extends far beyond Oshoala.

His academy also played a key role in the development of Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Nigerian international Gift Monday.

From nurturing young girls on modest training grounds to watching them represent Nigeria on the biggest international stages, Osahon has dedicated years to discovering and developing football talent.

The gift comes at an especially memorable moment for the grassroots coach.

Five players from his FC Robo academy are currently representing Nigeria at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

Three of those players have reportedly received Player of the Match recognition at different stages of the competition, underlining the academy’s contribution to Nigeria’s next generation of female football stars.

The Flamingos, Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, have also made history by reaching their first-ever World Cup final.

They secured their place following a 3-1 semi-final victory over Brazil.

Oshoala’s gesture has captured attention within Nigeria’s football community, highlighting the extraordinary relationship between a player who conquered the world stage and the grassroots coach who helped nurture her talent.

For Osahon, the greatest reward may not simply be the brand-new car, but the knowledge that a young girl he once helped develop has never forgotten where she came from.

Oshoala began her organised football career at FC Robo in 2009 before moving to Rivers Angels in 2013.

Her performances earned her a move to Liverpool in 2015.

She subsequently played for Arsenal, Dalian Quanjian and Barcelona, where she won several titles, including the UEFA Women’s Champions League.