Former Super Falcons of Nigeria players based in Europe are set to converge for a friendly football match on September 19th aimed at promoting unity, friendship and the development of women’s football in Helsinki, Finland.
This was disclosed to Voice of Nigeria (VON) by Ayisat Yusuf, a former Nigerian international footballer and Olympian, who is based in Finland and recently appointed Assistant Coach of the Nigerian senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons.
Yusuf, who holds a UEFA B coaching licence and works as a sports instructor in Finland, represented Nigeria at three FIFA Women’s World Cups, four African championships and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
She said the primary objective of the match is to provide a friendly and positive environment where Nigerian women footballers can reconnect and celebrate their shared passion for the game.
“It is to reconnect, build, unite, network and enjoy the game we all love,” she said.
According to Yusuf, the event will also provide an opportunity to promote women’s football, support one another, maintain fitness, build friendships and strengthen the Nigerian football community in Europe.
She described the gathering as more than just a football match, saying it is a celebration of the contributions of Nigerian women to football.
Yusuf explained that the event would serve as a reunion for former Nigerian women footballers who have been separated since retirement.
“Many of us have not seen each other since retirement, some for almost a decade. It is an opportunity to reconnect, celebrate our football journey, strengthen friendship and create new memories together,” she said.
The former Super Falcons player said football remains her lifelong passion and that she intends to use her experience as a player and coach to help develop the next generation of footballers.
Former Super Falcons players expected to participate in the friendly include Ayisat Yusuf and Francisca Agbara from Finland; Perpetual Nkwocha from Sweden; Prisca Imefule and Ogechukwu Onyinanya from Ireland; and Ropo Ojo from Finland, among others.
