By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Super Falcons forward, Desire Ugochi Oparanozie has sensationally announced her retirement from professional football, saying she believes there is no better time to quit from club and national team football than now.
Oparanozie made this surprise announcement on her officiall twitter (now X) handle trending on the social media Wednesday.
Her word on her twitter handle read in parts: “To my fans, family, and friends, thank you for the show of love and support over the years. It’s time to take a bow, as I believe there’s no better time than now. I’m officially announcing my retirement from professional football for both club and country”.
The former Super Falcons captain who until this announcement plays as a forward in the Chinese Women’s Super League for Wuhan Jianghan University was part of the Super Falcons team to the just concluded FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Australia and New Zealand. She lost Nigeria’s first penalty kick in the 4-2 defeat in the Round of 16 clash against England.
Oparanozie 29, who played for local clubs like Delta Queens FC of Asaba, is a veteran of Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, started as a junior international and scored 2 goals in the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and 3 goals in the 2012 tournament respectively.
The Imo state-born footballer has been a regular member of the Nigerian senior national team since 2010, participating in the FIFA Women’s World Cup final in 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023.
In April 2019, she was named the new captain of Nigeria by coach Thomas Dennerby who praised Oparanozie for her ‘discipline and good character’.
Following the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, in her role as captain, she led calls for equal pay in Nigerian football citing disparity with the bonuses received by the team’s male counterparts.
Oparanozie however suffered the consequences of leading what was termed a “rebellion” against the football house by the players and was subsequently not invited to the camp until last year when she was recalled and she made the team to Australia and New Zealand. READ ALSO:
- Ondo governorship election: INEC replaces LP candidate
- CBN to penalise DMBs aiding, abetting Naira hawking
- First lady Tinubu inaugurates upgraded Ebonyi airport runway
- SWC removes C’River PDP chairman
- Sanwo-Olu applauds MTN Foundation for 20 years of operation
She has also been part of the Nigerian squads of WAFCON in 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2018, winning all four tournaments. She scored crucial goals in both the 2014 and 2016 finals.
In all, Oparanozie scored 22 goals in 35 games for Nigeria.
Her records at a glance:
- Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) four times (10, 14, 16, 18) 🏆🏆🏆🏆 .
- Won the NWFL twice (2011, 2012) with Delta Queens FC) 🏆🏆
*Golden Boot winner at 2014 WAFCON 👟.
