Super Falcons striker, Desire Ugochi Oparanozie has retired from international football for both club and country. She made the announcement on her social media account some hours ago.
She represented Nigeria at the recently concluded FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
In a post on Wednesday, on her X account, 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 started her career with Bayelsa Queens and ended her career playing in the Chinese Super League. In 2019, Thomas Dennerby named her as the captain of the Nigerian Women’s National Team and he praised her for her “discipline and good character.”
She played in the FIFA U-20 World Cups in 2010 and 2012 scoring two and three goals respectively in the tourneys.
She won the African Women’s Championship four times in 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018 and scored very important goals in the 2014 and 2016 finals.
She played 35 times for Nigeria and scored a total of 22 goals.
