Returning to football after childbirth
Super Falcons midfielder Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene has opened up about the difficulties female footballers face when balancing motherhood with their careers. In an interview with the BBC, she shared her personal journey of returning to the pitch after giving birth, highlighting the fear many players have of losing their place in the national team if they start a family.
Okobi-Okeoghene explained that societal perceptions often discourage players from marrying or having children. “You see, most of the girls are so scared to get married because they feel that by the time they get married, they won’t be called back to the national team anymore,” she said. “Most of the fans out there believe that when a woman is married, she’s old. They believe that when she gives birth, she doesn’t have the strength to keep doing what she was doing. Being a soccer player doesn’t stop me from being a wife, a career woman, or an athlete.”
Physical challenges and support system
The midfielder admitted that motherhood brought a new perspective to her life, deepening her appreciation for her own mother. “Motherhood is tough. I became closer to my mum when I gave birth. I asked her, how did you do this? You gave birth to six of us; how did you handle it? Because just one is like 16,” she said. She credited her husband and family for their unwavering support, adding, “One thing I am so grateful for is that I have a husband and family who supports me and know that my career means a lot to me. I also had teammates that pushed me, especially at the initial stage.”
Okobi-Okeoghene also discussed the physical demands of returning to elite football after childbirth. She recalled the struggle to regain fitness after significant weight gain. “I started my training after five months postpartum, and it was tough. I grew big after I gave birth, and it was a struggle for me to get myself back, but it didn’t take away my skills and abilities,” she said.
Motivation from family
The footballer praised her husband for standing by her throughout the journey. “There are times I get so tired. After training, he (husband) is there for me. He wants me to do what I love. He didn’t want me to stop my career because I gave birth,” she stated. She added that her son has become a major motivation. “Every day I wake up and I see my son, it motivates me to do more. It makes me want to go to the field and work hard, because I need him to see me play football. He's already running around with the ball, so he needs to learn a bit from me.”
Return to the national team
Okobi-Okeoghene was recalled to the Super Falcons in 2026 after a four-year absence following the birth of her son in 2024. Her return comes ahead of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which kicks off in Morocco on Sunday. The tournament features 16 teams competing for the title and a record $2 million prize.
