Nigerian Midfielder Returns to Soccer After Motherhood

Just five months after welcoming her first child, Nigerian soccer star Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene is lacing up her cleats for the national team again.

The 30-something midfielder, who plays for Ottawa Rapid FC in Canada, received her first Super Falcons call-up since 2022 ahead of friendlies against Cameroon. After giving birth in September 2024, she returned to professional soccer in early 2025, balancing new motherhood with the demands of international competition.

"Should I use the word excited? Yes, I'm truly excited and happy to be doing this again," Okobi-Okeoghene said from the team's camp in Yaoundé. "I'm grateful and honored."

Her journey wasn't without difficult choices. Married since 2017, she delayed starting a family to focus on her career, facing questions from relatives about when she'd have children. Now, she's addressing different questions on social media about whether new mothers belong in elite sports.

Her response is clear and powerful. "I just know what has happened to me is childbirth; it's a blessing and never a curse," she said. "I don't think anybody should expect what they want from me; they should expect what I want for myself instead."

Why This Inspires

Okobi-Okeoghene represents something bigger than one comeback story. With four Women's Africa Cup of Nations titles and multiple FIFA Women's World Cup campaigns under her belt, she's proving that female athletes don't have to choose between family and career peaks.

Her advice to other women athletes considering motherhood is simple but courageous. "Being a soccer player or a football player doesn't limit me from having a child," she explained. "Just do what you feel and know will make you happy."

She emphasizes taking life one step at a time rather than bowing to external pressure. That mindset helped her navigate both the delay in starting her family and the rush of criticism when she decided to return to professional sports so quickly.

The Super Falcons gain more than just tactical intelligence and calm presence on the pitch with her return. They gain a living example of resilience for younger players watching from the sidelines, wondering if they'll have to sacrifice everything for their sport.

As Okobi-Okeoghene takes the field against Cameroon, she carries hope for every woman athlete navigating motherhood and competition at the highest levels.