This is the person that’ll replace me in the team - Super Falcons legend Desire Oparanozie anoints NWFL star as successor

Former Super Falcons star Desire Oparanozie has chosen who she believes would fill her void in the Nigerian senior women’s national team.

Oparanozie, who is a legend of the women’s game retired in 2023 after representing Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup where the Super Falcons lost out to England on penalties after the match had ended 0-0 during the regular 90 minutes plus extra-time.

The 31-year-old rose through the ranks, first representing Nigeria at the 2010 U20 FIFA Women’s World Cup where she scored two goals, enroute to Nigeria’s second-place finish at the competition.

Her exploits earned her a callup into the senior women’s team at age 18. Desire Oparanozie was one of the youngest members of the Super Falcons squad at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup where Nigeria crashed out in the group stage.

Desire Oparanozie notched 46 goals in 121 appearances for club and country, winning numerous laurels.

The Owerri-born striker went on to represent Nigeria at four editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup (2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023) – Super Falcons Onome Ebi, Brazil’s Marta, and Canada’s Cristine Sinclair hold the record for playing in six FIFA Women’s World Cups.

During the 10th anniversary of the Ladies In Sports Conference pioneered by Tega Onajaife, there was a conversation about women not doing enough to support fellow women but the convener was quick to shut down such talks.

She stated that female athletes do a lot for other women in sports too but it is not always reported in the media.

Tega mentioned that Desire Oparanozie introduced a budding Super Falcons star, saying: "This is the person that will replace me in the national team," quoting what she heard the former Super Falcons striker say.

Desire Oparanozie who was present at the event confirmed the statement and even added that it’s untrue that female athletes don’t support each other.

Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) top goalscorer Bolaji Olamide, who plays for Remo Stars is the chosen heiress by Desire Oparanozie to take her place in the Super Falcons.

Pulse Sports Nigeria's Funmilayo Fameso would later quiz Desire Oparanozie to find out why she picked Bolaji Olamide as her successor in the Super Falcons. The former VFL Wolfsburg striker said:

Bolaji netted a whopping 15 goals in 19 games during the just concluded NWFL 24/25 season. She went on a scoring spree, finding the back of the net in the first seven matchdays.