No regrets picking Nigeria over USA — Super Falcons star Toni Payne

Toni Payne has expressed satisfaction with her decision to switch international allegiance from the United States to Nigeria.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, to Nigerian parents, the 30-year-old represented the USA from U-17 to U-23 levels before choosing to play for Nigeria at the senior international level.

The former Ajax player announced her intention to switch to Nigeria in 2019 and made her debut for the nine-time African champions two years later. Since then, Payne has competed in four major tournaments for Nigeria, including the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the Olympic Games.

Ahead of Nigeria’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash with Zambia, Payne said switching allegiance to Nigeria in 2021 was one of the most rewarding choices of her career in an interview with Biola Solace-Chukwu.

Reflecting on her choice, she said,

“Even though I did grow up with dreams of playing for the US, when I had the opportunity to play for Nigeria, it was almost a no-brainer and a no question for me. So, yeah, no regrets.”

 “I love to be around my culture, which I didn’t get to be around all the time growing up in the US. I love to represent my family.

"There’s just so much passion and love for the sport here that you don’t see every day.”