Super Falcons’ Defender, Shukurat Oladipo, Clichés Best Defender Award 

Summary: Shukurat Damilola Oladipo, a versatile defender of Super Falcons and the AS Roma Women’s team, has officially been named the Best Defender of the season in the Italian Serie A Femminile for the 2025/26 campaign. The 21-year-old star received the prestigious award at a gala ceremony held on Monday, May 18, 2026.

Shukurat Damilola Oladipo, a versatile defender of Super Falcons and Associazione Sportiva(AS) Roma Women’s team,  has officially been named the Best Defender of the season in the Italian Serie A Femminile for the 2025/26 campaign. The 21-year-old star received the prestigious award at a gala ceremony held on Monday, May 18, 2026.

The Serie A Femminile Best Defender Award is an annual individual accolade organised by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and presented to honour the most outstanding defensive player of the season. The winner is selected based on a combination of advanced statistical analysis, team defensive records, and votes from league managers, captains, and a panel of sports journalists.

As a versatile defender for Super Falcons and Italian champions AS Roma Women, Shukurat is recognised for her elite tactical awareness, physicality, and composure. She is a key member of the Falcons squad that won the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON). In February 2025, she signed a contract with AS Roma running through June 30, 2027. Then, she made her club debut on May 10, 2025, in a 1–0 win over Fiorentina. During her time with the team, the football star has anchored the backline to help AS Roma Women secure their third consecutive Serie A Femminile title. She had also supported them in making 18 league appearances, starting 15 matches, and played a central role as Roma recorded 12 clean sheets while remaining unbeaten in games she featured in.

As the recipient of the Serie A Femminile best defender award, Shukurat Oladipo made history as the first Nigerian and African defender to receive this prestigious title in Italy’s top-flight women’s league. She is expected to remain a key part of Roma’s plans as they prepare for their Coppa Italia Femminile final against Juventus on May 24, where they will look to complete a domestic double before embarking on another WAFCON quest with Nigeria in July 2026.