(Ngozi Okobi. Photo Credit: Canadian Soccer Daily)
Super Falcons midfielder Ngozi Okobi has spoken about the challenges female footballers face, disclosing that many players are afraid of getting married because they fear it could cost them their place in the national team.
Speaking in an interview with a broadcast media platform, Okobi explained that societal perceptions often make married women and mothers appear “too old” to continue competing at the highest level.
She noted that most female players are scared of marriage because they believe once married, they may no longer be invited to represent the national team.
According to her, many fans wrongly assume that marriage and motherhood reduce a woman’s ability to perform, often viewing married women or new mothers as old or lacking the strength to continue their careers.
She, however, insisted that being an athlete does not prevent a woman from building a family or pursuing a successful career, stressing that her profession as a footballer does not stop her from being a wife or a career woman.
Reflecting on her own experience after childbirth, Okobi described motherhood as one of the most difficult phases of her life, revealing that she resumed training just five months after giving birth and struggled to regain her fitness after gaining weight during that period.
Despite the challenges, she credited her husband, family and teammates for supporting her return to professional football, noting that although her career does not outweigh her role as a mother, it remains deeply important to her.
She maintained that motherhood did not diminish her talent or ability, only her fitness level, adding that she draws daily motivation from her son as she continues to push herself further in her career.