Linda Jiwaku honoured by Odenkwume Town Union over U17 Women’s World Cup success

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria U-17 women’s team and Confluence Queens goalkeeper, Linda Jiwaku has been honoured by her town Union in Lagos for her exploits at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s Word Cup in India.

The union honoured the save hands after Confluence Queens’ 4-0 defeat at FC Robo Queens last week and the accolades comes months after Jiwaku helped the Flamingos to Nigeria’s first bronze at the finals last September.

“We congratulate you on this and wish you more wins in this your chosen career. Ndi Odenkwume are proud of you especially those living in Lagos State,” the congratulatory message read.

“On behalf of the Odenkwume Town Union (OTU), Lagos branch, we wish you well and pray for an injury-free career as you continue to excel in making  us proud and Nigeria at large.”

The Confluence Queens goalkeeper who hails from Odenkwume Town in Imo State is joyous over the honour, while sharing her future dreams.

“Honestly I didn’t expect the honour. I feel so excited. This is a reward from my community people do being the first female player from my community,” Jiwaku told nigeriafootball.ng.

“I feel so honoured and appreciate all their efforts. I pray that wherever the money for this honour comes out, may God grant them all their wishes and may more money fall on them.

“Honestly, I have already qualified my team for the NWFL Premiership Super Six by playing nine games unbeaten. Out of the nine games, I participated in seven games.

“My next target is to go to the Super Six and still make my team and my village people and town people proud. I also hope to represent Nigeria at the upcoming WAFU-B U-20 Women’s Championship and to go higher in my career.”

Linda started her career as a wrestler before switching to the game of football and is gradually becoming a household name in the women’s football game in Nigeria.