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CAF
3 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Jennifer Echegini (Nigeria): 'I can't wait to experience this WAFCON'
A revelation at PSG since her arrival in 2024, Jennifer Echegini is about to play in her very first TotalEnergies CAF Women's Cup of Nations with Nigeria Born in the Netherlands and developed between England and the United States, she never hesitated—her heart has always beaten for the Super Falcons 'People often reduce us to just our speed. But we have so much more to offer,' warns the Parisian midfielder, determined to break stereotypes At 24, the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Africa Women's Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will be her first. Jennifer Echegini approaches it with the maturity of a player who has already faced the pressure of the Olympics and the World Cup. But for her, the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON is more than just another tournament: it's a source of pride, a responsibility, a deep connection to the history and soul of Nigerian football. Arriving in Paris in the summer of 2024, the Super Falcon quickly made her mark in an elite squad. 'She creates danger every time she touches the ball,' praises teammate Grace Geyoro. Behind her technical skills and game intelligence lies an unusual journey: born in Nijmegen, Netherlands, trained in England and the U.S, Echegini has always carried the desire to represent Nigeria. 'It's a conviction that has always driven me,' she says. Today, she shares the PSG locker room with other African talents like Agueissa Diarra (Mali) and Merveille Kanjinga (DR Congo). Her advice? 'Believe in yourself, no matter where you come from. In Paris, only discipline and passion matter.' A powerful message from a player who refuses clichés: 'We're often reduced to speed or power, but African women's football is so much more than that.' With only a few weeks to go before the Women's AFCON kicks off in Morocco (July 5–26), Jennifer Echegini is ready to step into the spotlight: 'This tournament brings a different intensity, a unique emotion. It's our legacy,' she says with determination. Since July, you've been playing for PSG. What do you appreciate most about your new life in Paris? Jennifer Echegini: There are so many things I love here. What stands out the most is being able to train every day alongside exceptional players. Every session is a learning moment. Some of them I used to admire on TV when I was younger, so now sharing the field with them and learning from them is such a rich experience. You were the first African player to join PSG. What message did you share with Agueissa Diarra (Mali) and Merveille Kanjinga (DR Congo), your two African teammates, when they joined? I told them to believe in themselves. It doesn't matter where you come from—your background should never limit you. Being from a particular country or region doesn't define your value. What matters is what you show on the field. At PSG, we're all on the same level, in the same locker room, and we have to fight for what we want. Self-belief is the key. Paris has recently invested in several African players, including yourself. What do you think about this trend, and what impact can it have on the development of women's football in Africa? I'm proud that European clubs are starting to take us seriously. Too often, African players are reduced to just strength or speed, but we have so much more to offer the game. This recognition changes things. It sends a strong message to young girls across the continent: if we made it, they can too. They shouldn't limit themselves to stereotypical traits. At 24, you've already played in the World Cup and the Olympics… and now you're preparing for your first TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Women's Cup of Nations. What does this tournament mean to you? It's very special. I've been in major international competitions, but I haven't played in an WAFCON yet. This will be my first time, and I'm very excited. I watched the last edition two years ago and already thought: 'One day, it'll be my turn.' Now that moment is here. It's a different atmosphere, a different energy. Representing my country on the African continent is a huge honor. The Women's AFCON is about history, culture, emotion. I can't wait to live it from the inside. Nigeria will play in Group B alongside Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana. How do you assess this group? It's a tough group. On paper, we're the favourites, clearly. But in this kind of tournament, that doesn't mean anything. No team should be taken lightly. We'll need to be focused from the first minute and never underestimate the opposition. What role do you expect to play for the Super Falcons during this AFCON? I'm a midfielder, so my role is to create, organize, and also score when I can. I want to be a constant support for my teammates across all areas of the pitch. Nothing complicated—just doing what I know how to do. Simply being useful. Nigeria is a powerhouse on the continent, with a rich history in this competition. How do you handle the pressure of always needing to win? We live with it. The pressure has always been there. When you wear the Nigerian jersey, you know the expectations are sky-high. But that's a good thing, really. It's those standards that shape who we are. Nigeria has won this competition multiple times. As the new generation, it's our duty to carry on that tradition. So yes, there's pressure. But everyone—the fans, the staff, us—wants the same thing: victory. With increased media coverage, do you sense a change in how African fans view women's football? Definitely. I've been with the team for three years now, and I see real progress. There's more coverage, more interest, more visibility. This tournament has always been important, but it didn't get talked about enough. Today, things are changing—and that's excellent. The more people understand the importance of this competition, the more African women's football will grow. What message do you want to send to young African girls watching you from Lagos, Cotonou, or Abidjan, dreaming of following in your footsteps? I'd simply tell them to believe in themselves and never stop working hard. Every journey is unique. I'm Nigerian, but I wasn't born in Nigeria. I grew up in the Netherlands, in the UK, spent time in the US… My story is different from some of my teammates who grew up in Lagos or Abuja. But that's the point: no matter where you come from, the path may be different, but the destination can be the same. We can all reach the top level, each in our own way. You have to believe in yourself and never doubt. You set your own ceiling. If you tell yourself you won't make it, then you won't. Don't let anyone convince you that you can't. Work hard, believe in yourself, and go for it.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
'Why I honour Falcons call-up just afta my husband death'
Nigeria Super Falcons player, Blessing Illivieda still dey mourn di death of her husband wen she gatz join di training camp. Just few days afta di news of her husband death, she ansa di call to join di national camp. For exclusive wit di BBC News Pidgin, she tok why she go national camp few days afta her husband die. Some pipo bin dey drag di Bayelsa Queens captain as dem question her decision to go camp to play football wen she suppose dey mourn her husband. But di defender say going to national camp na di highest honour she give her late husband. Blessing marry her husband Ibrahim Abiola on 21 January, 2023. Her husband die afta a brief illness on 23 May, 2025. "Dis camp wey I come so na im be di uttermost respect wey I wan give my husband. I dey expect am to come watch our friendly match as im promise wen we tok for phone." "Dem just call me say im no well, within two days di God wey create am tell am say time don reach, make e dey come." Blessing join di Super Falcons training camp days afta her husband die, and she say one of di way to take honour her late husband na to accept di call up. She say her husband just sick bifor, but im dey happy as she get di call up but sadly, e no dey alive to witness her play for di Falcons. "Di call up don come bifor dem call me say my husband sick, im even happy for di call up becos na wetin im dey pray for, say I go wear dis badge." "If I no come, dat mean say I no even love my husband, or I no appreciate di prayers wey im dey pray for me." For Blessing, to honour her late husband na to ansa di call up and fulfil di prayers wey her husband don pray bifor e die. No be say she just wan accept di call up from di national team, but she do am for her husband to dey proud. "Wetin dey keep me like dis na di promise wey I make to am, say di world go hear my name." "I do am for di man wey tell me say I marry you, I wan see you climb to di top. Plenti pipo wey dey dis situation, e dey hard for dem to come out." Blessing say e no easy for her but she gatz come of di situation and make her late husband proud even wen evribodi no expect am Meanwhile, Nigeria beat Cameroon 2-0 for di International friendly match on Tuesday for Abeokuta, Ogun State, southwest Nigeria. Producer: Tamara Ebiwei, Edited by: Mobolaji Olatunde
CAF
19-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria): 'Defending the legacy of the Super Falcons is a tremendous honour'
As the goalkeeper for the Super Falcons, Chiamaka Nnadozie heads into the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a clear mission to reclaim the title lost in Morocco in 2022 Named Africa's Best Goalkeeper two years in a row, 'Safe Hands' has established herself as one of the standout figures in women's football on the continent At just 24, she embodies the perfect balance of authority, calmness, and ambition. A commanding presence, a reassuring pair of gloves, and a promise: to lead Nigeria back to the top of African football Some goalkeepers save shots. Others change the fate of an entire team. Chiamaka Nnadozie belongs firmly to the latter group. At just 24, the woman affectionately dubbed 'Safe Hands' by Nigerians has become far more than the last line of defence she's a symbol of African women's football. A calming force amidst chaos. A goalkeeper who inspires confidence, who leads, and who wins. Her aura grew even stronger in May last year. On that day, in Orléans, she made history with Paris FC by helping the club lift its first ever Coupe de France against Paris Saint-Germain (0–0; 5–4 on penalties). Two penalties saved in the final. A decisive stop at the very end. An unforgettable performance. This came just weeks after being named Africa's Best Goalkeeper at the CAF Awards for the second year running. A well-deserved accolade for a player constantly pushing the limits. But it's with the national team that her impact feels most profound. During the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, she changed the course of a crucial match. Nigeria was up against Olympic champions Canada. Midway through the game, a penalty was awarded. Christine Sinclair a living legend stepped up. Nnadozie stood tall. She dived and saved the shot. In that moment, the world saw what Africa already knew: Nigeria had a world-class goalkeeper. Yet for her, the story remains unfinished. In 2022, in Morocco, the Super Falcons' continental dominance wavered. They were knocked out in the semi-finals by the hosts after a heart-breaking penalty shoot-out. A title they expected to defend slipped through their fingers. That loss still lingers with Chiamaka. Today, she speaks of it with renewed determination: 'This 2024 AFCON isn't just another tournament. It's a mission to reclaim what's ours,' she says, eyes fixed on the prize. Her journey commands respect. In 2019, she became the youngest goalkeeper to play at a World Cup, at just 18. Four years later, she's captain. And that armband isn't just symbolic she wears it with pride and responsibility. She knows the weight of the shirt she wears; the legacy the Super Falcons have built before her. And she wants to add her own chapter to that legacy. As the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations approaches, Chiamaka Nnadozie has never seemed more ready. Ready to defend. Ready to lead. Ready to win. At 24, she no longer plays just for herself she plays for a collective redemption, for a generation determined to write its own story. She doesn't just want to participate in this tournament. She wants to leave her mark on it. Gloves laced. Eyes focused. Ambitions high. Nigeria is in Group B alongside Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana. What's your take on this group? Chiamaka Nnadozie: People might think it's a manageable group, but the reality is very different. Women's football has made huge strides in recent years. Every team is improving, working hard, and investing in development. We saw it in the last AFCON, where many of the favourites were shaken. No one can be underestimated anymore. This group is tricky, and we have to treat it with the seriousness it deserves. Qualification won't be handed to us we'll need to earn it through hard work and discipline. At the last edition, Nigeria lost the title in the semi-final against Morocco. How did that elimination affect you? It was incredibly tough to accept. We really wanted to defend our crown, but football can be like that some days, things just don't go your way. That match against Morocco, we lost partly because the opposition had a well-executed strategy. It's not that Nigeria is weaker it's that other nations now see us as the team to beat. They prepare accordingly. That forces us to stay humble and to keep raising our level. With 11 titles, Nigeria is the most successful team in WAFCON history. Do you feel the weight of that legacy? Absolutely. Wearing the Super Falcons jersey means carrying a legacy. It means playing for the generations before us who won everything. The spotlight is always on us. When another team loses, it's not a big deal. When Nigeria loses, it feels like a national crisis! But we must keep calm. We're athletes we make mistakes too. The key is to turn that pressure into positive energy and motivation. Our goal is clear: to go all the way, but with focus and intelligence. What does it mean to you to defend the legacy of the Super Falcons? It's a huge honour. When I think about the great goalkeepers and players who came before me, I feel both gratitude and responsibility. They paved the way. Now it's up to us to continue that excellence. I rely on two core values: discipline and humility. Those are my foundations. I try to stay focused on my role and the team. The rest will be shown in the results. This will be your third AFCON. What does this tournament mean to you? To me, AFCON holds the same weight as a World Cup. The atmosphere, the stakes, the intensity it's all there. I remember the 2022 edition in Morocco: packed stadiums, incredible supporters. You feel lifted by an entire continent. And personally, I've never been the starting goalkeeper when we've won a title. This time, I want to lift that trophy from the pitch to play a real part in the victory. When did you realise that playing for Nigeria meant more than just wearing a jersey? I remember it clearly. It was in 2018, during a match against France. It was my debut, and we lost 8–0. I was devastated. I cried after the match. But then I saw the messages the support, the encouragement, the feedback. Everyone was calling me a rising star. That's when I realised playing for Nigeria means touching hearts. It's not just about the match it's a mission. That day, I understood the weight and the meaning of this jersey. You're now one of the team's leaders. How do you handle that responsibility? I take it very seriously. Being a leader isn't just about performing on the pitch it's about your presence in the dressing room, your attitude. I try to stay approachable, to support others, especially the younger players. I'm lucky to have a good support system, but I know the responsibility also falls on me. I stay grounded in my values. I believe in consistency and hard work. The spotlight shouldn't distract us from what truly matters: growing every day. How do you support the younger players joining the national team? I try to be there for them. I talk to them, explain that age doesn't define your place in the team. Recently, one of them called me ahead of a tournament to ask for advice. That touched me. I remembered how the senior players welcomed me when I started. Now it's my turn to pass that on. I want them to feel confident, to express themselves freely within the team. What message do you want to send to young girls dreaming of becoming footballers? Never let anyone dim your light. First, believe in yourself because if you don't, no one else will. But most importantly, never stop learning. Talent alone isn't enough. You have to study the game, watch, question yourself. Even when you're on the bench, observe and analyse. And always maintain a good attitude. Do the right thing even when no one's watching. Because someone, somewhere, always is.
