Nineteen-year-old
Super Falcons striker, Desire Oparanozie, talks about her young football
career, big move to Bundesliga side, Wolfsburg, her family and more in
this interview with ’TANA AIYEJINA
How are you preparing for the new season with your new club, VfL Wolfsburg of Germany?
I’ve been preparing so well and looking forward to begin next season in 100 per cent fitness. So, I am resting as well as training on my own in order to meet up with pre-season requirements.
How did you seal the deal with a top side like Wolfsburg, the current UEFA Women’s Champions League winners?
I joined them from my Russian club, Rossiyanka. My agent did all the paper work and I am happy to play for a big club like Wolfsburg. I just signed a two-year contract with them. By the time the season starts, we will see how things work out. I am aspiring to win trophies with them and help them win games as well.
Do you think you can get a regular place in the star-studded Wolfsburg line-up, who won the treble last season?
Of course, why not? If I wasn’t good, they wouldn’t have signed me. I am there to prove myself. It’s the coach that has the final say on selection, so I wouldn’t want to comment on that.
How would you rate your European career so far?
So far so good. Playing in Europe is the best thing to have happened to my career. It’s the best place to play football. It’s a dream for every professional footballer to play where football is recognised worldwide. And playing in the (Women) Champions League has helped me a lot. So it’s a good move for me.
How did you feel when the Super Falcons, once giants of the African game, could only manage a fourth place outing at last year’s African Women’s Championship in Equatorial Guinea?
I didn’t feel good about it because we were the champions in 2010 and playing in the African cup last year, I felt if we must lose the trophy, we should come out in second position, not fourth. We couldn’t even win the third place game. It was really bad. I am not happy, though I wasn’t part of the tournament because my team didn’t allow me participate due to my Champions League engagement.
Do you see the national team bouncing back very soon?
The team will definitely come back stronger. I so much believe in my teammates and country. Maybe there were one or two things they didn’t do well then but I believe with proper preparations, determination and good organisation, we can bounce back and win the AWC again.
Your national team career has been meteoric. From the U-20 side, you progressed straight to the Falcons. What has been the secret?
I think it’s actually the grace of God. I have no explanation for that really. It’s the Lord’s doing because I believe there are so many other players out there, who could probably do better than me. But it’s the Lord that has made it possible for where I am today, to play in Europe and also for the national team. So I give God all the glory.
Can you recall your first senior game for Nigeria?
My first game for the Falcons was in Cote d’Ivoire. It was an AWC qualifier in early 2010. I came in as a substitute but I am happy I made an impact on my debut for the national team.
You scored two goals at the U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2010. What was it like playing in the final of a FIFA competition?
It was a dream come true for me and my teammates because playing in the final of a world championship doesn’t come easily. It is actually the best tournament I have been to. Playing before a global audience in the final of the U-20 World Cup is something to brag about. I am proud of my team for getting to that level.
The Falconets beat USA 4-2 on penalties after full and extra time ended 1-1 in the quarter-final. You scored the last penalty as Nigeria recorded their first win over the USA in women’s football.
I felt really good beating the US. You know they are always favourites in any level of women’s football. When we beat them, we knew we could emerge as one of the best teams in the tournament. It was a very tough game. I held my nerves to score the fourth penalty because I knew if I missed, I would have given them a chance back into the shoot-out. But I converted my kick to help the team advance to the semifinal of the competition.
How did you start playing football?
It all started during my primary school days and I kept playing till I got to secondary school. My case was not different from other parents who stopped their children, especially their daughters, from active participation in sports. But I was lucky my dad supported me. The problem I had then was my mum. But you know, in the family, dads always have the upper hand. So, since I had my dad’s support, I kept pushing and that was it.
How did you overcome your mum’s resistance?
When I came home after playing, she (mother) would beat me and nag at me. She would insist I won’t go out to play football again but I kept on pushing. Sometimes I lied to her just to play football. I used to tell her, “I am going to see a friend; I am going for extra-moral classes.” It was just to make sure I had a way out to play football.
Did you suffer any societal discrimination as a footballer?
I don’t know because none was directed at me. Maybe they could have said such things behind me. But I don’t allow such comments and attitude to weigh me down. I don’t bother about people’s views
Is it true that female athletes don’t live normal girls’ life?
I can’t speak for other girls. I can only talk about myself. Such things have never happened to me. I am in a serious relationship right now and I have a healthy relationship with the opposite sex.
Have you encountered lesbians as a footballer?
When you talk about lesbianism, it’s about someone’s way of life. It’s someone’s private life; it depends on what you want to do with your life. I don’t really know much about it and I can’t talk on the issue. I have never been approached by a girl before.
What is your impression about women football in Nigeria compared with men’s football?
For the period I was around playing in the local women’s league, they didn’t do things very well in terms of organisation. They don’t give girls attention like they give to the guys. Even in the national team, it is the same thing. I wasn’t part of the AWC last year and there are no tournaments this year, so I don’t know how they will be treated but for the time I was around, they gave the guys more attention than the girls.
What are your best and worst moments?
My best moment was when I scored a goal in the 2012 Women’s World Cup quarter-final against Mexico in Japan. That’s actually the best ever goal I scored. After 90 minutes, we went into extra time. The goal came in the second half of extra time, precisely in the 109th minute. A cross came in and I had to run in front of the Mexican defender to head the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net. My worst moment was when we were knocked out by the US in the semi-final. We were hoping to win the competition after coming so close in 2010 but the 2-0 defeat to the Americans scuttled that dream.
What did you do with your first money as a footballer?
I gave everything to my family. I shared the money with everybody; my mum, dad and siblings.
Who is Desire Oparanozie?
Desire Oparanozie is a young and talented lady from the family of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Oparanozie in Owerri, Imo State. I am from a family of seven; I am the sixth child and third girl.
Would you say you are fulfilled as a footballer?
Being a footballer is what I have ever wanted to be. For me, doing what you want gives me a sense of joy and happiness. So, I think I am fulfilled being a footballer.
What is your advice to up-and-coming women footballers in Nigeria?
I want to tell them to keep training hard and be hopeful. They should be determined and shouldn’t let anyone kill their dreams; they should keep fighting and fighting. I know one day, they will make it.
Where are we hoping to see you in the nearest future?
I can’t say but let’s keep looking forward to what the future will bring.
Who has been your toughest opponent so far?
Playing for Rossiyanka against Wolfsburg in the Champions League was very tough. They gave us a hell of time in the quarter-final last season. We put up a good fight but we lost 3-2 on aggregate to the eventual winners. They are a highly technical side
How did you cope as a young girl playing in Russia?
It wasn’t easy playing away from home. But I thank God I was able to scale through all the hurdles.
Did you witness racism while there?
Yes. It’s really high there but I didn’t let that weigh me down. Even in training, playing against my teammates wasn’t easy. When you dribble them or mistakenly kick at them, they shout at you. I had other experiences but I thank God I overcame them.
How are you preparing for the new season with your new club, VfL Wolfsburg of Germany?I’ve been preparing so well and looking forward to begin next season in 100 per cent fitness. So, I am resting as well as training on my own in order to meet up with pre-season requirements.
How did you seal the deal with a top side like Wolfsburg, the current UEFA Women’s Champions League winners?
I joined them from my Russian club, Rossiyanka. My agent did all the paper work and I am happy to play for a big club like Wolfsburg. I just signed a two-year contract with them. By the time the season starts, we will see how things work out. I am aspiring to win trophies with them and help them win games as well.
Do you think you can get a regular place in the star-studded Wolfsburg line-up, who won the treble last season?
Of course, why not? If I wasn’t good, they wouldn’t have signed me. I am there to prove myself. It’s the coach that has the final say on selection, so I wouldn’t want to comment on that.
How would you rate your European career so far?
So far so good. Playing in Europe is the best thing to have happened to my career. It’s the best place to play football. It’s a dream for every professional footballer to play where football is recognised worldwide. And playing in the (Women) Champions League has helped me a lot. So it’s a good move for me.
How did you feel when the Super Falcons, once giants of the African game, could only manage a fourth place outing at last year’s African Women’s Championship in Equatorial Guinea?
I didn’t feel good about it because we were the champions in 2010 and playing in the African cup last year, I felt if we must lose the trophy, we should come out in second position, not fourth. We couldn’t even win the third place game. It was really bad. I am not happy, though I wasn’t part of the tournament because my team didn’t allow me participate due to my Champions League engagement.
Do you see the national team bouncing back very soon?
The team will definitely come back stronger. I so much believe in my teammates and country. Maybe there were one or two things they didn’t do well then but I believe with proper preparations, determination and good organisation, we can bounce back and win the AWC again.
Your national team career has been meteoric. From the U-20 side, you progressed straight to the Falcons. What has been the secret?
I think it’s actually the grace of God. I have no explanation for that really. It’s the Lord’s doing because I believe there are so many other players out there, who could probably do better than me. But it’s the Lord that has made it possible for where I am today, to play in Europe and also for the national team. So I give God all the glory.
Can you recall your first senior game for Nigeria?
My first game for the Falcons was in Cote d’Ivoire. It was an AWC qualifier in early 2010. I came in as a substitute but I am happy I made an impact on my debut for the national team.
You scored two goals at the U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2010. What was it like playing in the final of a FIFA competition?
It was a dream come true for me and my teammates because playing in the final of a world championship doesn’t come easily. It is actually the best tournament I have been to. Playing before a global audience in the final of the U-20 World Cup is something to brag about. I am proud of my team for getting to that level.
The Falconets beat USA 4-2 on penalties after full and extra time ended 1-1 in the quarter-final. You scored the last penalty as Nigeria recorded their first win over the USA in women’s football.
I felt really good beating the US. You know they are always favourites in any level of women’s football. When we beat them, we knew we could emerge as one of the best teams in the tournament. It was a very tough game. I held my nerves to score the fourth penalty because I knew if I missed, I would have given them a chance back into the shoot-out. But I converted my kick to help the team advance to the semifinal of the competition.
How did you start playing football?
It all started during my primary school days and I kept playing till I got to secondary school. My case was not different from other parents who stopped their children, especially their daughters, from active participation in sports. But I was lucky my dad supported me. The problem I had then was my mum. But you know, in the family, dads always have the upper hand. So, since I had my dad’s support, I kept pushing and that was it.
How did you overcome your mum’s resistance?
When I came home after playing, she (mother) would beat me and nag at me. She would insist I won’t go out to play football again but I kept on pushing. Sometimes I lied to her just to play football. I used to tell her, “I am going to see a friend; I am going for extra-moral classes.” It was just to make sure I had a way out to play football.
Did you suffer any societal discrimination as a footballer?
I don’t know because none was directed at me. Maybe they could have said such things behind me. But I don’t allow such comments and attitude to weigh me down. I don’t bother about people’s views
Is it true that female athletes don’t live normal girls’ life?
I can’t speak for other girls. I can only talk about myself. Such things have never happened to me. I am in a serious relationship right now and I have a healthy relationship with the opposite sex.
Have you encountered lesbians as a footballer?
When you talk about lesbianism, it’s about someone’s way of life. It’s someone’s private life; it depends on what you want to do with your life. I don’t really know much about it and I can’t talk on the issue. I have never been approached by a girl before.
What is your impression about women football in Nigeria compared with men’s football?
For the period I was around playing in the local women’s league, they didn’t do things very well in terms of organisation. They don’t give girls attention like they give to the guys. Even in the national team, it is the same thing. I wasn’t part of the AWC last year and there are no tournaments this year, so I don’t know how they will be treated but for the time I was around, they gave the guys more attention than the girls.
What are your best and worst moments?
My best moment was when I scored a goal in the 2012 Women’s World Cup quarter-final against Mexico in Japan. That’s actually the best ever goal I scored. After 90 minutes, we went into extra time. The goal came in the second half of extra time, precisely in the 109th minute. A cross came in and I had to run in front of the Mexican defender to head the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net. My worst moment was when we were knocked out by the US in the semi-final. We were hoping to win the competition after coming so close in 2010 but the 2-0 defeat to the Americans scuttled that dream.
What did you do with your first money as a footballer?
I gave everything to my family. I shared the money with everybody; my mum, dad and siblings.
Who is Desire Oparanozie?
Desire Oparanozie is a young and talented lady from the family of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Oparanozie in Owerri, Imo State. I am from a family of seven; I am the sixth child and third girl.
Would you say you are fulfilled as a footballer?
Being a footballer is what I have ever wanted to be. For me, doing what you want gives me a sense of joy and happiness. So, I think I am fulfilled being a footballer.
What is your advice to up-and-coming women footballers in Nigeria?
I want to tell them to keep training hard and be hopeful. They should be determined and shouldn’t let anyone kill their dreams; they should keep fighting and fighting. I know one day, they will make it.
Where are we hoping to see you in the nearest future?
I can’t say but let’s keep looking forward to what the future will bring.
Who has been your toughest opponent so far?
Playing for Rossiyanka against Wolfsburg in the Champions League was very tough. They gave us a hell of time in the quarter-final last season. We put up a good fight but we lost 3-2 on aggregate to the eventual winners. They are a highly technical side
How did you cope as a young girl playing in Russia?
It wasn’t easy playing away from home. But I thank God I was able to scale through all the hurdles.
Did you witness racism while there?
Yes. It’s really high there but I didn’t let that weigh me down. Even in training, playing against my teammates wasn’t easy. When you dribble them or mistakenly kick at them, they shout at you. I had other experiences but I thank God I overcame them.
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