Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene says her desire to represent Nigeria remains as strong as ever, despite the professional and personal obstacles she has encountered. The Super Falcons midfielder insists her loyalty to the national team is not determined solely by whether she is named in the squad.
The 32-year-old has won 75 caps and four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles. “Representing my country is something I will always love,” she said, adding that she would continue backing the Falcons “in every situation” because she remains part of the team, not an outsider.
Quick facts
- Okobi-Okeoghene has 75 international appearances for Nigeria.
- She has collected four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles.
- Her return to the national-team set-up followed the birth of her son in 2024.
- She resumed training five months after giving birth.
- She was recalled for friendlies against Cameroon and Senegal.
- She was not included in Nigeria’s final squad for the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco.
Her remarks reflect her continued bond with the Super Falcons after ending a four-year spell away from the national-team environment. She came back following the birth of her son in 2024, again highlighting the difficulty many female footballers face when trying to balance motherhood and elite sport.
Okobi-Okeoghene rejects the idea that marriage or having children signals the end of a woman’s playing career. She said many Nigerians and supporters assume a married woman is too old, while childbirth is wrongly seen as proof that she has lost the strength to continue.
She warned that those attitudes can influence players’ decisions, particularly women who fear marriage will cost them their international opportunities. Many, she said, become anxious that they will no longer receive national-team invitations after marrying.
“Being a footballer does not prevent me from being a wife, a professional or an athlete,” Okobi-Okeoghene said. She added that repeated criticism makes women doubt themselves and can leave players frightened of taking the next step in their personal lives.
Women need encouragement to do more
The midfielder also raised concerns about how women are treated in Nigeria, including the abuse and dismissive comments aimed at female athletes across social media. Instead of silencing her, she said those reactions have increased her determination to defend women and demand greater support for them.
She recalled seeing numerous remarks on Instagram and other platforms that treated women as though they had little worth. Although she described that attitude as damaging, she said it also motivates her to keep speaking.
Her message is shaped by her own attempt to return to football after becoming a mother. She said she wanted to make her position clear because of the way women, especially in Nigeria, are treated.
Okobi-Okeoghene called for women to be encouraged and reminded that they remain capable of achieving more. Motherhood, she stressed, should never be regarded as the final chapter of a woman’s life or career.
She acknowledged that rebuilding her fitness after childbirth was difficult, but said becoming a mother did not remove her ability to play. She began training again five months after giving birth, with her teammates providing important help during the earliest part of her comeback.
“My child is a blessing, but returning was demanding and took time,” she said. “My teammates pushed me when I needed it most. Motherhood did not take away my footballing ability; it only affected my fitness level.”
Her efforts led to a recall for international friendly matches against Cameroon and Senegal. Although she missed out on Nigeria’s final roster for the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco, she said that disappointment has not weakened her dedication to the Super Falcons.
She also credited her family, particularly her husband, with making the comeback possible. Their support, she said, was crucial as she worked to rebuild her career after having her son.
“I am deeply thankful to have a supportive husband and family,” she said. Her husband helps her after demanding training sessions and wants her to continue doing the work she loves rather than end her career because she became a mother.
Her son has provided an additional source of drive. Seeing him each morning inspires her to work harder, she said, because she wants him to watch her play football.
He is already moving around with a ball, Okobi-Okeoghene added, and she hopes he can learn something from watching his mother on the pitch.
