Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie says she was almost discouraged from playing Football after her father told her that girls don't play football.

Nnadozie was one of the shinning lights for the Super Falcons at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, where the team was eliminated in the round of 16 after losing to England via penalty shootouts.

She was also outstanding as her heroic penalty saves helped Paris knockout VfL Wolfsburg in the UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying round second leg match on Wednesday.

However. speaking with CNN’s Amanda Davies, Nnadozie stated that she was never encouraged by her father to embrace the game of football as her of profession.

“It wasn’t very good from my family. They never let me play, especially my dad,” the 22-year-old told CNN’s Amanda Davies.

“Whenever I went to play soccer, he would always tell me: ‘Girls don’t play football. Look at me. I played football, I didn’t make it. Your brother, he played, he didn’t make. Your cousin played, he didn’t make it. So why do you want to choose this? Why don’t you want to go to school or maybe do some other things?’” Nnadozie recollected.

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Nnadozie’s rise to the top has been anything but orthodox – from starting outfield to opposition from her father, as will be the case with millions of young girls around the world.

“All I’m going to say to them is just keep being you, keep working hard,” she said. “Always do the right thing, even nobody’s watching you. It’s difficult when your parents doesn’t support you. What can you do?

“But we just have to keep working hard and believe in yourself. One day, the skies will be your starting point.”

Despite the cynicism, Nnadozie continued to play football to fulfill her dream of playing for Nigeria. Her mother was instrumental in keeping that hope alive, often taking Nnadozie to her auntie’s house where she could play freely without refute.

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