Super Falcons striker, Ugochi Desire Oparanozie, has announced her retirement from professional football.
Oparanozie, 29, on her X page @oparanozie9, as seen by Tribune Sports, said it is time to call it quits with the round leather game while thanking her fans, friends and family members for the show of love during her career.
The message 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.”
Oparanozie, whose past club would be Wuhan Jianghan University FC in the Chinese Women’s Super League (CWSL), had 35 caps for Nigeria and scored 22 goals. She won four African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) titles – 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018 with Falcons, two Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) titles with Delta Queens in 2011 and 2012.
Among other clubs, Oparanozie had professional stints with Wolfsburg in Germany, Guingamp and Dijon, both in France. Her last game for Nigeria was against the Three Lionesses of England at the 2023 Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
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