Just in: 29-year-old Oparanozie quits football

Samuel AkpanSeptember 13, 20231 Mins read1.2k

Former Super Falcons Captain, Ugochi Desire Oparanozie, says she has retired from football.

Aged 29, Oparanozie, the golden boot winner in the 2014 African women’s championship, thanked fans, family, and friends, for the love and support over the years.

She made this known on Wednesday on her official X page (Twitter).

She said: “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.

“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.”