Goal-scoring Super Falcons Star Speaks Of How Her Dad Almost Stopped Her Football Career

Super Falcons forward Uchenna Kanu opens up how her father was a bit difficult over her sporting activities.

Kanu is with the Super Falcons team at the 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. And she’s been instrumental for Nigeria, scoring Nigeria’s first goal at the tournament.

The energetic forward, is a thorn in the flesh of opposition defenders at the tournament.  Mostly using her strength to muscle out opponents, bulldozing her way through.

And reminiscing about her football career, she explained it’s always difficult for female children to go into sports in Nigeria.

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“Maybe my dad, he was a bit difficult for reasons I didn’t know. You know, for the typical Nigerian female,  it’s always hard to engaging in sports because of the tradition, different cultures, the social norms and all that stuff,” she told the PUNCH.

And when other females may bow out of sports due to pressure from the society, hers was different. And that’s because her mother always supported her. According to her statement, her mother in her time was also sports inclined.

“But I think it just wasn’t that hard because my mom was a sportsperson and she made it a bit easier for me. And of course, I didn’t give up on my dreams and my career and other stuff that I was thinking about,” she said.

“My mom was always there. She helped me because she, like I said, was into sports and she played as well. She told me stories about her playing and all that.  So, I didn’t give up and I continued playing.”

However, she expressed sadness over the demise of her father, who couldn’t witness her success as an athlete.

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“I wish my dad was still there to witness how far I’ve come.  But yeah,  my family has really supported me all the same.  And I’m happy I have a family like that because not everyone has that kind of family that supports them to play football or go into sports. So, I’m really thankful for my family for their support and having my back the whole time.”

The Super Falcons attacker is expected to lead the attacking department when Nigeria fave England on Monday.

Characterized by speed, strength and precision, there’s no doubt, Kanu will be a forec to reckon with on Monday’s blockbuster.