By Adadareporters
Super Falcons’ topmost striker Ugochi Desire Oparanozie has announced her retirement from the round-leather game.
The 29-year-old ex-Falcons captain announced an end to her glorious soccer career via her X page on Wednesday.
She commended her fans, family, friends, teammates, opponents and coaches for being behind her all through her football sojourn. She however did not thank the Nigeria Football Federation.
She wrote, “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.
“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.”
Oparanozie played for both Bayelsa and Delta Queens before her foray in Russia and France. Among the clubs she played for in France are Guingamp and Dijon.
Oparanozie played for Nigeria’s Falconets before her glorious career at the female senior national team. She was a member of the Super Falcons team that reached the round 16 at the 2019 and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Her last briefs with the Falcons was her only game in the female world cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand when she came on as a sub in Falcons’ second round knockout game against Three Lionesses of England. She failed to inspire the team at the regular time, and went ahead to miss the opening penalty kick. Nigeria eventually lost the game.
Why Oparanozie didn’t acknowledge NFF
In 2019, she protested non-payment of match bonuses to Falcons players, and that drew the wrath of Nigeria’s football body. They withdrew her captainship, and appointed Asisat Oshoala as Falcons’ captain.
Oparanozie’s exclusion raised eyebrows, with some fans insisting she was sidelined following her part in protests against unpaid bonuses at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France.
Ex-Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh did condemn NFF’s treatment on Oparanozie. He reportedly said, “What they did to this girl (Oparanozie) is criminal because she did not do anything wrong. Nigeria is a good nation, but we can improve on attacking the victim. The victim, in this case, is Oparanozie.”
