Former Super Falcons Captain Desire Oparanozie has thrown in the towel against her professional football career npflupdates.com reports.
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Desire Oparanozie on Wednesday morning announced her retirement from active professional football to the dismay of her fans. The lethal goalscorer was part of the Super Falcons team at the 2023 FIFA women’s world cup in Australia and New Zealand. Though injury kept her out of action for better part of the tournament, before Nigeria’s shocking elimination by England.
The former Delta Queens attacker as per her statement, appreciated her family, fans and friends who supported in her career.
According to her, now is the time for her to take a bow and leave the pitch for younger generations.
Super Falcons’ Desire Oparanozie retires from active football aged 29
“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,” she wrote on Social media.
Further, she appreciated the team’s and various coaches she’s played under. Also, to her teammates at both club and country levels; who she explained as being part of her incredible journey.
More Interestingly, she sent a special shout-out to the opponents she’s come across during her career.
“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.”
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With Nigeria Desire Oparanozie won four WAFCON Championships, a WAFCON golden boot (as top scorer). Also she’s won two Nigeria women’s premier League titles as am attacker for Delta Queens.
Shocked Nigerians are now giving various opinions as to why the 29-year-old is retiring so early.
According to NPFLUpdates in-house analyst Mr Best, two things may have triggered her retirement from football.
First, Mr Best opined that her penalty miss against England at the 2023 FIFAWWC may have had a toll on her. Desire Oparanozie came from the bench shortly after normal regulation time. But was unfortunate to be among the players that missed their deciding spot-kicks.
“That miss may have taken a toll on her(I can’t say really). But we all saw how some mischievous fans reacted to the penalty miss. Just maybe in a show of respect to Nigerians she resigned(retired).”
Secondly, “she may want to face her family and raise her kids now she’s in her youth. We all know how busy footballers are, especially when the league is on; they hardly have time for their families,” Mr Best continued.
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“Maybe she wants to have her family closer to her and teach them a proper way of life.”
In her active days , Desire played in Africa, Europe and Asia.
