Christy Ucheibe fulfills late mother’s promise with Women’s World Cup debut

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria senior women’s national team midfielder, Christy Ucheibe has recounted her experience of watching the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup following her debut against Canada in Melbourne.

While watching the 2011 edition of the tournament, Ucheibe promised her late mother that one day she would play at the Women’s World Cup with the Super Falcons.

The SL Benfica midfielder played her first game at the global stage as the Super Falcons played out a 0-0 draw with the Olympic champions on Friday and she took to her social media handle to reveal how she fulfilled her promise to her late mother.

“I remember watching the World Cup 2011 and making a promise to my mum that someday she will watch me play for the Super Falcons at the World Cup,” Ucheibe tweeted.

“Although she isn’t with us anymore to have seen it. I am happy to have fulfilled that promise, and I know she would be so proud of me.”

Ucheibe who played the full 90 minutes against Canada had one shot, completed 59% of her passes, created two chances with 48 touches, 50% successful dribbles, three passes into the final third, 67% accurate crosses, 60% accurate long balls, and was never dispossessed according to statistics from online live score medium, Fotmob.com.

Rated 7.7 out of 10, Ucheibe defensively won four of six tackles (67%), made three blocks with clearance and interception, six recoveries, and dribbled past four times.

In terms of dues against Canada, the defensive midfielder won eight out of 16 ground duels, two out of three aerial duels, was fouled once, and committed four fouls.