A former Super Falcons forward Desire Oparanozie reveals she retired from active professional football earlier than she had expected npflupdates.com reports.
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Desire Oparanozie last month threw in the towel on her professional football career aged 29. The former Bayelsa Queens forward, in her retirement speech appreciated her fans, family and friends for their support in her career.
As professional player, Desire represented Nigeria in age-grade football, scoring twice at the FIFA U-20 women’s world cup tournament in 2010. And two years after, in 2012, she scored three times also at a FIFA U-20 women’s world cup tournament.
And with the Super Falcons, she won four consecutive WAFCON titles, and also represented Nigeria at four different FIFA women’s world cup tournaments in 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023.
She was named the Super Falcons Captain I before the 2019 FIFA women’s world cup in Paris, France. In her capacity as the team leader, she publicly demanded for an equal pay to Nigeria’s Super Falcons as well as the Super Eagles.
“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 her Twitter handle.
She further, acknowledged, her teammates, coaches she’s worked with, and opponent players she’s come across.
“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,” she added.
Also read:Â Desire Oparanozie To Send Exceptional Talents To Asia For Football Trial
Shortly after retirment, Desire, was incorporated into the Imo State Sports Association as a honorary member.
Speaking about her retirement, the former Guingamp Femini forward, highlighted she had always wanted to retire at 30. But, had to call it quit few months to her 30th birthday celebration.
Desire Oparanozie one of the best Super Falcon in history
“I’ve always known I’ll retire at 30, but it happened three months earlier than I planned,” she told Brila FM.
As a way of giving back to the society the little God has given her, the former Wolfsburg women’s attacked, is taking applications from qualified male footballers who are interested in playing professional football in Asia.
“This is for interested male footballers who are open to travel to Asia for a tournament/trial. Kindly email us at oparanozie9initiative@yahoo.com for more details,” the 29-year-old announced on her Twitter handle.
According to her, “there are limited slots, & offer closes on the 4th October 2023. Terms & conditions apply.”
In a related story, Bayelsa Queens player, Flourish Sabastine is in France to complete a move to French first division women’s club Stade de Reims.
The 18-year-old forward is expected to be unveiled in the coming days upon completion of a successful medical and agreement of terms.
Also read:Â Desire Oparanozie : 2 Things That May Be Behind Her Resignation
She will be the third Nigerian player to join the club in the last 12 months after her FIFA 2022 Women’s World Cup colleglagues; Rofiat Imuran and Oluwatosin Demehin.
