Former Captain, DESIRE OPARANOZIE Explains
Few players have worn the green-and-white jersey with as much passion—and purpose—as Desire Oparanozie. A four-time Africa Women’s Cup of Nations champion, former Super Falcons captain, and outspoken advocate for equality in football, Oparanozie has been more than just a striker; she has been a voice for justice. She was there on the protest lines after championship victories, demanding the pay and respect owed to Nigeria’s women footballers. She spoke up when equal treatment between male and female teams seemed an impossible dream.
Now, years after those battles, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has rewarded the current Super Falcons with unprecedented cash gifts, houses, and national honours for clinching their 10th continental title. While some critics question the generosity, Oparanozie’s response is unshakable joy—because, to her, this win is not just for the present squad but for every generation that fought to keep women’s football alive in Nigeria.
For Oparanozie, the Super Falcons’ latest reward is more than a presidential gesture—it’s a milestone in a long struggle for recognition. But she is clear: without real investment, passion alone won’t be enough to keep Nigeria at the top.
In this candid conversation on Naija Info 99.3 FM, she talks about the hunger that drives the Falcons, the “Nigerian factor” that sets them apart, and the urgent need for grassroots investment to secure the future of the game. She celebrates the progress, acknowledges the sacrifices of legends before her, and warns that without solid structures, Nigeria’s dominance could fade.
You were once stigmatised on the national team for pushing for equal pay with the men. Now the President has given the current Falcons huge cash prizes, houses, and national honours. Some say it’s too much, especially since past generations like yours never received such rewards. Are you happy with this?
For lack of a better word, I am ecstatic. I’m very, very excited to finally see this happen. You remember those times after tournaments when we would protest? In 2016 or 2018, after we won the Nations Cup in Ghana, we carried placards to the National Assembly because we hadn’t been paid what we were promised.
It wasn’t about asking for anything outrageous—just the money we were owed. Back then, some of the same people criticising this reward now were the ones criticising the government for not paying us.
I’m happy this is happening, even if it didn’t happen for my generation. The foundation we laid was never for our benefit alone—it was for those coming after us. Just as legends like Perpetua Nkwocha, Mercy Akide, Eucharia Uche, Precious Dede, and others paved the way for me, I wanted to pave the way for others. This is how women’s football will grow—not just in Nigeria, but in Africa.
What makes this current team different from the ones you played in?
The Nigerian factor. By that I mean the hunger for success. Many of us come from humble backgrounds, and making it in football is often our ticket to a better life. That hunger drives us to win.
Look at this last tournament—they came from two goals down to win. That kind of grit is the Nigerian factor. It’s about putting on a performance that could be your meal ticket for years to come.
When you saw the rewards announced, did you wish you hadn’t retired?
Francesca Ordega and I joked about that—“If only we could see the future!” But there’s no guarantee you’ll be in the squad or that you’ll win. Whether I benefited or not, I’m happy. This is for all of us—the older ones, the younger ones, and the little girl who dares to dream of representing Nigeria.
Some people say instead of giving big cash gifts, the government should have invested in the NWFL, where many of you were discovered. Do you agree?
Totally. There will come a time when our dominance will fade if we don’t invest in women’s football. Look at Morocco—they’ve transformed their women’s game in just six years through investment. Look at South Africa, who have steadily built their programme and won the last edition before this.
Grassroots development is the most important thing, and right now we don’t have it in women’s football in Nigeria. If we combined our talent with proper infrastructure, capacity building, leadership development, and promotion, imagine what this team could achieve on the world stage.
