Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala, has said her nomination for the inaugural BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award came as a shock to her.

Oshoala was nominated for the first edition of the awards on Sunday along with Spain’s Verónica Boquete, German Nadine Kessler, Kim Little of Scotland and Marta of Brazil.

The Liverpool Ladies forward, who is also the African Footballer of The Year, told the BBC that her nomination was due to her hard work in the game.

She said, “I worked hard last year but I am surprised to be nominated and I feel very appreciated. This award is a very good thing for women’s football.

“It can really help us by encouraging other countries to support their ladies more and treat them the same way they treat the men. A lot of people tried to discourage me but I never let that bother me – I did what I want to do.”

Oshoala had an excellent year in 2014 after her performance at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup earned her the top scorer and the Most Valuable Player of the tournament awards.

She also won the MVP of the 2014 African Women Championship, as Falcons emerged champions.

Hours after her nomination for the BBC award, Oshoala inspired the Reds to a memorable outing, which took them to third on the log in the Women Super League standings behind Chelsea and Arsenal Ladies.

Oshoala scored a goal and had an assist as Liverpool Ladies defeated Manchester City Women 2-1 on Sunday.

She scored the first goal in the 12th minute before City’s Nikita Parris equalised in the 53rd minute. Oshoala then set up Line Smorsgard in the 57th minute to ensure the full points for the Reds.

Sunday’s goal was Oshoala’s second in five appearances for the Liverpool Ladies in the WSL since joining them in January.