Nicole Payne suffers season-ending injury layoff

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria and Portland Thorns right back Nicole Payne has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee.

The injury occurred during the match against Angel City FC at the Coachella Valley Invitational tournament on February 16th.

The team has expressed their support for Payne, wishing her a speedy recovery and a strong return to the pitch.

Portland announced her season-ending layoff alongside that of two other players.

They include Marie Muller and Morgan Weaver.

The 24-year-old joined Portland Thorns from the French side PSG.

Last season, she played 19 games for Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

Alongside her elder sister, Toni Payne, she represented Nigeria at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco becoming the first ever sisters to represent Super Falcons at international tournaments.

Oluwaseun Oyediji

Oluwaseun Babatunde Oyediji is a multi-media sports journalist with over 10 years experience in Information Communication Technology (ICT), women's football, and beach soccer reportage.The prolific writer is the Media Assistant to Nigeria Beach Soccer League and Africa Beach Soccer Union as well as contributor on Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) website.He has covered multiple national and international football tournaments including Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2020), CAF Women's Champions League (2023), and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).Since 2021, Oyediji has covered the NWFL Premiership especially the season ending Super Six Playoffs.A member of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun state chapter is also the image maker of the Remo Sports Development Council under the leadership of Chief Falilat Ogunkoya and David Osuolale.

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