Yewande Balogun: Nigeria goalkeeper retires from football

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria goalkeeper, Yewande Balogun has called it time on her football career.

In a post on her Facebook page, the former Saint Etienne goal tender announced her retirement from professional football while going through her career journey.

She narrated that retirement was imminent after knee cartilage replacement surgery immediately after her university but she didn’t give up.

“Maybe it’s fitting that I never officially announced “retirement” after university and after having knee cartilage replacement surgery,” She posted on Facebook.

“While it left me with no actual closure from my playing career, it also left open a door to go back to playing, and it was so obvious to walk through it when the opportunity presented itself a decade later.

“The journey has been unpredictable with some beautiful highs and some dark lows. Sure, my path could have been different, but then so would the story. Now, the story is one of belief in God and myself. One of determination against so many odds. One of taking risks, saying yes, and jumping far away from the safety net and into the unknown. A story of being too afraid of regret to even consider failure.”

Balogun was part of Nigeria’s roster for the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, giving her the opportunity to relate with teammates and travel across the world during friendly games.

“In this story, a lifelong dream of playing professional football, a dream I believed to be long lost, was revived,” She added.

“I was blessed to have represented Nigeria on the international stage. I lived and played in different countries and I never stopped learning about the game, about the world, or myself.

“They say it’s not about the destination but the journey, and what I can tell you is that many of the best parts of this story didn’t take place on the pitch. They are the memories from the places I got to see and the people I met along the way. Many who walked alongside me, many who supported me, and the occasional antagonist. They all gave me reasons to keep the faith and continue to find the joy in all of it, despite the circumstances or plot twists. I’m especially grateful to the ones who helped make it all possible in the first place.

“My body is saying it’s time to close this chapter and hang up the boots (for real this time 😅) but I thank God for every step of this journey. I’m forever grateful for the beautiful game and all it’s given me, so here’s to continuing to find ways to give right back. Thank you for all for the love and support along the way 💛.” She concluded.

The Washington-born 35-year-old goal-minder has been the third choice behind Chiamaka Nnadozie and Tochukwu Oluehi in the pecking order.

She is expected to face another career upon retirement in sports and other fields.