PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES
Super Falcons’ Chidinma Okeke has opened up about her turbulent path to football stardom, sharing her darkest moments and hardest-won triumphs.
In a deeply personal and emotional exclusive interview with Persecondnews in Abuja at the weekend, 24-year-old Super Falcons defender Chidinma Okeke shared the poignant story of her journey to success, including a pivotal moment when she temporarily abandoned her football career amidst immense challenges, before ultimately making history as the first Nigerian to join Mexico’s Club America Femenil.
Okeke’s story is one of resilience and determination.
After hanging up her boots, she cried every day, feeling lost and uncertain about her future.
However, her passion for football eventually won out, and she made a triumphant return to the pitch.
Her hard work and dedication earned her a call-up to the Super Falcons, the most successful African female football team.
In a remarkable twist, Okeke’s first experience in the Super Falcons camp was a bittersweet one as she found herself going head-to-head with her “idol” and former captain, Desire Oparanozie.
Okeke recalled how she used to ditch her mother’s errands to watch Oparanozie in action, such was her admiration for the legendary player.
However, during a training session, Okeke’s adrenaline got the better of her, and she went in hard on Oparanozie, only to realize her mistake moments later.
Feeling embarrassed and apologetic, Okeke approached Oparanozie after the training session and was met with a response that would change her trajectory with the Falcons forever.
The full interview:
PSN: How have you been able to manage the language barrier in your new club in Mexico?
Okeke: “Fortunately for me, 80 percent of my teammates speak English, so it’s helped me to settle in easily at Club America. The people here are nice, and the mentality is similar to what we have back home.”
PSN: Have you reached out to Chiamaka Nnadozie after her victory at the CAF Awards?
Okeke: “Yes, I have. I sent a message via my socials to her. I am not sorry to say this: she will continue to win that award. She is the best goalkeeper in Africa.”
PSN: Can you share your experience in your first training session with the Super Falcons?
Okeke: “My idol is Desire Oparanozie. I loved how she played. I would skip my parents’ errands to watch her play. My first training session with her, I tackled her hard as she was about to attack my team during the training.
“When the adrenaline dropped, I realized it was ‘Skippo.’ After the session, I rushed to her to apologize. Instead, she encouraged me and told me that I am an amazing player. You see, that conversation skyrocketed my confidence level from 20 percent to 100 percent.
“Oparanozie and Asisat Oshoala have been a strong support in my career. If you take a close look at the Falcons camp, our seniors are always there to help and guide.”
PSN: What is the target for 2025 with the Super Falcons?
Okeke: “To win a trophy with the team. I don’t want to say much, but we are set to bring the Women’s Africa Cup back from Morocco later this year.
“I played in the World Cup in 2023 and played at the Olympics in Paris 2024. This time, we want to bring something home. Winning a trophy with the girls would be one of my biggest achievements.”
PSN: What has been your biggest challenge so far in your professional journey?
Okeke: “It’s a long story, but I would say there was a point in my career when I stopped playing football. It was a tough decision, but I had to take it. For days, I was in tears, confused about my next move.
“I never gave up. My elder sister was a strong support for me during my trying times. I can confidently say I bounced back bigger and better.”
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