.png)
4 hours ago
2
ARTICLE AD BOX
Former Nigerian international Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene has disclosed that many Super Falcons players are scared of getting married because they fear it could end their international careers.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Okobi said societal attitudes toward married women and mothers often create unnecessary pressure for female athletes.
Reflecting on her experience after childbirth, Okobi described motherhood as one of the most difficult phases of her life, revealing that she resumed training just five months after child birth and struggled to regain her fitness after gaining weight during that period.
Okobi Opens Up About Challenges As A Female Footballer
“Nigerians, most of the fans out there, feel when a woman is married, she’s old,” Okobi said.”When a woman gives birth, she’s old, she doesn’t have the strength to do whatever she’s doing.”
“They keep making us feel bad about ourselves,” she said. “Most of the girls are so scared to get married. They feel by the time they get married, they won’t be called to the national team anymore.”
“Being a soccer player doesn’t stop me from being a wife. It doesn’t stop me from being a career woman, an athlete,” she added.”We need to encourage our women. We need to make them understand that of course they can do more.”Motherhood should not be the end of anyone’s story.”
Although she was not included in Nigeria’s final squad for WAFCON 2026, Okobi said she remains committed to supporting the Super Falcons and hopes her experience will encourage more acceptance of female footballers balancing family life with their careers.
English (US) ·