The Confederation of African Football has paid tribute to former Super Falcons player, Desire Oparnozie, following her retirement from football, The Punch reports.
Oparanozie on Wednesday brought an end to her illustrious career after she announced her retirement from both country and club football at the age of 29.
Immediately after her announcement on her X account, former Falcons teammates Ashleigh Plumptre and Ngozi Okobi, as well as millions of fans, sent her emotional messages as she began a new journey.
The African football governing body on Thursday joined millions of fans and friends to celebrate the striker and wished her well in her future endeavours.
“It’s been an honour. An outstanding professional football career path has come to an end for the amazing Desire Oparanozie.
At the junior level, the forward represented Nigeria at U-17 and U-20 levels. She scored twice at the 2010 U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany as the Falconets reached the final, losing 2-0 to the hosts, before scoring thrice to power the team to the semis at the 2012 edition in Japan.
At senior level, she won four WAFCON titles plus the competition’s Golden Boot in 2014 and also played at four Women’s World Cup.
The Owerri-born retired striker will be remembered for her goals at club and country levels, no doubt, but off the pitch, her efforts in promoting the women’s game globally, as well as her role in the emancipation of the girl-child will linger in the memory.