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Yewande Balogun: US-born goalkeeper opens up on her biggest dream with Nigeria
By Monsurah Olatunji
Nigeria international and Saint Ettiene goalkeeper Yewande Balogun has revealed her long term ambition with the Super Falcons following her outing at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The US-born goalkeeper had represented the USWNT at the U17 and U17 level before switching allegiance to don the Green and White jersey.
Balogun made her unofficial debut as a substitute in Randy Waldrum’s side 1-0 friendly win over Slovenian club Olimpija in July 2022 and the 38-year-old says she is focused on representing Nigeria at the global stage this year.
“I have aspirations to be a part of the team that goes to the Women’s World Cup in 2023,” she told Nigeriafootball.ng.
“My focus right now is continuing to train and improve and help the team in any way that I can. I would love to be in the squad for as long as I can be but I’m taking it one day at a time.”
Yewande, born in the United States, represented the US at the U17 and U20 level and the former California Storms goalkeeper is keen to be a regular feature for the Super Falcons as they prepare for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The shot stopper is one of the two goalkeepers on Nigeria roster for the Revelation Cup later this month in Mexico and she opened up on her background that influence her decision to pitch her tent with the West African nation.
“My parents are from Lagos State and I have family that hails from Oyo State and Akwa Ibom. I was born and raised in the Washington, DC area which has a very large Nigerian population, so I’ve always felt connected to the country,” she further revealed.
“I visited Nigeria for Christmas and New Year’s back in 2016/17. Though my parents and brothers live in the US, most of my family live in Nigeria, so I am always looking forward to when I can visit and see them.
“I would eat Nigerian food, listen to Nigerian music, and attend traditional Naija weddings. We would do Aso Ebi and I would wear Ankara/lace and even tie gele. Yes, I’m also American and I don’t speak Yoruba very well, but I definitely consider myself a Nigerian and a Yoruba girl.”
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