Nigerian Super Falcons striker, Desire Oparanozie, has officially announced her retirement from professional football at the age of 29, News About Nigeria gathered.
Oparanozie disclosed this with her fans and followers in a thread on X. In her retirement announcement, she expressed her gratitude to her fans, family, and friends for their love and support throughout her footballing career.
She acknowledged that the time had come for her to step away from professional football, both at the club and national team levels.
Her post read, “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. Desire Ugochi Oparanozie,” she added.
Oparanozie’s football journey began with Bayelsa Queens in the Nigerian Women’s Championship before she joined Delta Queens in 2010.
She briefly had a loan spell at Düvenciler Lisesispor in the Turkish Women’s First Football League in 2011 before returning to Delta Queens. Her most recent club was Wuhan Jianghan University in the Chinese Women’s Super League.
On the international stage, Oparanozie represented Nigeria at the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, where the Falconets reached the final but lost 2-0 to host Germany. She made her debut for the Super Falcons in 2010 and scored 22 goals in 35 match appearances.
Oparanozie played a vital role in the Super Falcons’ success on several occasions. She contributed to their victories in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018.
She also had the honor of representing Nigeria at four FIFA Women’s World Cups in 2011, 2015, 2019, and the recently concluded 2023 edition.
