Desire Oparanozie honoured with Imo State Football Association membership

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Former Nigeria forward Desire Oparanozie has been honoured as a member of the Imo State Football Association (FA) following her retirement from football.

The former Super Falcons star recently retired from both international and club football following her cameo fourth appearance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in the summer.

And the former Dijon captain took to her X account to confirm this role on Monday.

“Over the weekend I was conferred as an Honorary member of the Imo State Football Association,” she commented on the social media platform.

“Special appreciation to the Imo State FA Chairman and its executive committee members for such an honour. A recognition I do no take for granted. Long live Imo State.”

Before her retirement, 29-year-old Oparanozie made 35 appearances for the Super Falcons and scored 22 goals.

At the international level, the former Wolfsburg player represented Nigeria at U-17 and U-20 levels.

She scored twice at the 2010 U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany as the Falconets reached the final, losing 2-0 to the hosts, before scoring thrice to power the team to the semis at the 2012 edition in Japan.

Her brilliant performance earned her a call-up to the senior side and she didn’t disappoint as she scored crucial goals for the Falcons, including the winner at the 2016 WAFCON final against hostile hosts Cameroon at the packed Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde.

Oparanozie broke Cameroonian hearts with five minutes left, to help Nigeria retain their title.

In all, she scored 22 goals in 35 international appearances for the Falcons, winning four WAFCON titles, as well as winning the Golden Boot award at the 2014 edition, appearing at four Women’s World Cup (2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023).