Deborah Abiodun: Nigeria midfielder joins University of Pittsburgh

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria midfielder, Deborah Abiodun has joined the University of Pittsburgh women’s team on a full scholarship.

She joined the American team from Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership side, Rivers Angels.

Pittsburgh Panthers confirmed her arrival on its verified Twitter handle on Thursday.

Abiodun will team up with Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum who also doubles as the head coach of the University of Pittsburgh women’s team.

“Great addition to our program and an amazing opportunity for this young lady!” Waldrum tweeted.

The Ibadan-born player was part of the Rivers Angels side that won the 2020/2021 NWFL Premiership title with Rivers Angels and featured at West Africa Zone B (WAFU-B) Zonal Qualifiers as well as the maiden CAF Women’s Champions League in 2021.

In 2022 season, she captained the Jewel of Rivers to the NWFL Premiership Super Six in Benin City, where the team finished second behind Champions, Bayelsa Queens and Nasarawa Amazons.

Abiodun, 19, was part of the Falconets side that reached the quarter-final of the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and had her senior debut for the Super Falcons after the tournament.

The Ibadan-born player is a great addition to the University team given her proven experience and track record with the move expected to be a springboard to great things to come for the midfielder.