Super Falcons midfielder Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and embracing life’s defining moments. A composed midfielder with keen footballing intelligence, she has balanced international glory with personal milestones, returning to the national squad after a prolonged absence.
Okobi-Okeoghene, who plays for Ottawa Rapid FC in Canada, returned to professional club football in 2025 following the birth of her first child in September 2024.
The four-time Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) winner and multiple FIFA Women’s World Cup participant was officially recalled to the Super Falcons squad for the double-header friendly against Cameroon. Her last major tournament with the national team was the 2022 WAFCON.
From the Super Falcons’ camp in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Okobi-Okeoghene spoke about her emotions:
“Should I use the word excited? Yes, I’m truly excited and happy to be doing this again. I’m grateful and honoured.”
She emphasised that expectations should be grounded in her own perspective rather than the public’s:
“My expectation, I can’t really say anything about that right now, because I live my life by taking one step at a time. I have seen a lot of messages and critics on social media, which I don’t want to care much about. I just know what has happened to me is childbirth — it’s a blessing and never a curse. So I don’t think anybody should expect what they want from me; they should expect what I want for myself instead.”
Okobi-Okeoghene also addressed the wider impact of her journey for female players balancing family and career:
“It’s all about being courageous. I had to understand that I’m a strong woman. Being a soccer player or a football player doesn’t limit me from having a child. So to everyone who wants to take the same step that I have done, my advice is just do what you feel and know will make you happy. I have been married since 2017, and having a child now raised questions from my family and everyone, but my career made it happen. I was looking for a child earlier, but my career took it this long. To anyone out there who wants to do this, just be courageous and believe that, yes, if I, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, can do this, you also can do it.”
Her return represents not just a personal milestone, but a strategic boost for the Super Falcons. With her experience, leadership, and international pedigree, she is set to provide both stability and inspiration on the field.
