Super Falcons Star Oparanozie Announces Retirement At 29

Nigeria’s Super Falcons forward, Desire Ugochi Oparanozie, has announced her retirement from football for both country and club side at the age of 29.

Oparanozie was included in the squad that represented Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup which started in July and ended in August.

In a post on Wednesday on her X account (formerly Twitter), she wrote: “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.”

Oparanozie had a successful career in the Chinese Women’s Super League and represented Nigeria’s national team on different occasions.

She started at Bayelsa Queens and later played for Delta Queens and Düvenciler Lisesispor.

In 2012, Oparanozie transferred to Rossiyanka in the Russian Women’s Football Championship. She had a successful stint there, playing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and scoring a goal. After that, she moved to VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga for the 2013-14 season.