Just in: 29-year-old Oparanozie quits football

“To every team and coach I have played for, to every mate I’ve played alongside, and to every opponent I have played against, thank you all for being part of this incredible journey. Thank you football, thank you Nigeria. Desire Ugochi Oparanozie.”

Persecondnews earlier reported that several Nigerian fans had called for her retirement after the 29-year-old sent her spot kick wide off the post in the Round of 16 game against England in the just concluded Women’s World Cup.

Nigeria crashed out of the tournament afterwards, while Oparanozie took to her social media handle to ask for forgiveness.

The former Wuhan Jianghan University FC star wrote on her official X account:  “Sad day! Very disappointing to have lost through penalties, and even more disappointing not to have converted mine. And for this I deeply apologize.”