Oparanozie Announces Retirement From Football

Super Falcons Forward Desire Oparanozie has announced her retirement from Professional football with immediate effect at 29.

The forward confirmed this with a statement on her official  X (formally known as twitter) account on wednesday morning.

In the statement Oparanozie said;

“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.”

The Former Super Falcons Captain started her career with Bayelsa Queens in the Nigerian Women’s Championship before making a move to Delta Queens F.C. in 2010.

Then going on a two months on loan from Delta Queens to Düvenciler Lisesispor in the Turkish Women’s First Football League in 2011.

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In her thirteen year long career, Oparanozie has played over 150 games for nine clubs, scoring over 60 goals.

She made her senior debut for The Super Falcons in 2010, having first playing at the 2010 FIFA U-20 women World Cup.

Named captain of Super Falcons by coach Thomas Dennerby in April 2019, Oparanozie scored 22 goals in 35 appearances for the 11-time Women’s African Cup Of Nation Champions, winning the 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2018 tournaments.

The forward appeared in four FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments of 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023 .

Desire Oparanozie last appearance for the Super Falcons was at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup  in New Zealand and Australia where Nigeria lost on penalty shoot out to England.