Nigeria Players Abroad
Christy Ucheibe opens up on cultural challenge starting career in northern city of Kano
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria midfielder, Christy Ucheibe has opened up on how she started her football career in the Northern City of Kano.
The SL Benfica player delved into the cultural impediments which made it difficult for the girl child to thrive in the game of football from that part of the country.
Irrespective of the challenges, the former Nasarawa Amazons star has gone on to represent Nigeria at U-20 and senior women’s national team levels.
“I started playing from age seven with my brothers,” she told Brila FM.
“When I was small, I didn’t know what I know now. It has been tough playing in the city of Kano where was taboo for girl child to play football.
“They feel like girls don’t have anything to do with playing football. There’s no female team. Anytime they try to bring up the female team, it doesn’t go anywhere. I feel like it’s because of the culture and the way they see things differently.
“It was tough and well, I am here today, so the past is over. I am in the future.”
On 16 June 2023, she was included in the 23-player Nigerian squad for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and played all four games for the Super Falcons.
At the club level, she has won three league titles with SL Benfica and keen on her fourth this season.
