I Had To Deceive My Mum To Play Football – Super FALCONS Striker, DESIRE OPARANOZIE

Guingamp football club  of France and Super Falcons striker, Desire Oparanozie has paid her dues at various levels of Nigeria female national teams. Her sojourn into football dated back to 2010 at Bayelsa Queens Football Club. Desire resisted all obstacles including lying to her mum to play soccer.

She has proven to be  potent and  clinical in front of goal as the  four goals she scored  in the 6-0 drubbing of Gambian national team in Lagos  helped secure Super Falcons qualification to the 2018 Africa Female Nations cup.

In this interview with FEMI FABUNMI, she speaks about her footballing career among other important issues.

You scored 4 goals in the last qualifying match for the female cup of nations, how does that make you feel?

I feel good and blessed, the joy of every striker is to score goals. I didn’t just score one or two,I scored 3 goals in one match.I must say I’m very elated.And I hope to score many goals by the time we play at the major tournament.

Nigeria has qualified to play at the next female cup of nations to be hosted in Ghana, do you think Super Falcons have what it takes to win it?

Why not, we have been there before, we have won it a couple of times. We will do everything within our power to ensure we bring the cup home this time around. I must say female football has really improved on the continent of Africa. Some countries are doing a lot of catching up.One has to be very careful these days by playing to our full potential, otherwise these countries trying to catch up might eventually catch up and overtake if time is not taken.

Describe your partnership with Asisat  Oshoala?

We blend together very well, she is a fantastic player that can pose danger to any kind of defense anywhere in the world. She is someone I enjoyed playing with. Asisat is very sharp and clinical in front of goal. Not that I’m praise singing her name everyone knows she stands out, I’m very privilege to be partnering with her. Truth is it is a partnership that really works.

How was growing up like for you?

It was great and funfilled. I was always training with male footballers back then .I learnt a lot from them.

How did your footballing career start?

I started from Bayelsa queens in 2010 after one season I moved to Delta queens .There has been ups and down but I give God the glory for where I am at the moment.

Did you enjoy the blessings of your parent when you started off as a footballer?

No , not at all, My father gave his blessings but my mum resisted initially. She didn’t see the need for a female child to play football. She saw it as a taboo. When I noticed that she was going to stop me from playing football I started hiding it from her. I would lie that I was going for tutorials or to see a friend whereas I was going to train. It continued like that until when she was told of my talents and when she started seeing the manifestations.

You joined Guingamp in France in 2014 and you are still there what makes the French club thick?

I must say the French league is a wonderful league, they offer good female league, they are one of the best in the world. I have really enjoyed myself there. Playing football is really enjoyable in Guingamp. My team mates are really fantastic, they really helped me settle down very fast in France.I just give God all the glory.

Why did you leave Wolfsburg football club of Germany?

Well as a footballer they weren’t giving me what I expect. They didn’t give me enough challenge at all, I was not feeling my stay there. I had to grab the opportunity with both hands when the Guingamp opportunity came.

Tell us your role model in football?

As a young lady, I was looking up to Nigeria female soccer star Mercy Akide. Seriously speaking I enjoyed watching her play way back. In the male category Zlatan Ibrahimovich is someone I cherish a lot. His physical style of play, goal scoring attribute makes me want to always see him play.

What is your advice for upcoming female soccer stars?

Every young female soccer star should be focused and try not to be distracted. They should make sure they don’t rush to sign contract because this is where some footballers get it wrong. Signing of improper contract can sometimes mar the career of an emerging female footballer.