For years, she has battled opponents on football pitches across Africa and beyond. But according to Nigeria international Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, some of the toughest battles female footballers face are not on the field.
Ngozi stated that they are on social media, where marriage and motherhood are too often treated as the end of a woman’s career.
The experienced Super Falcons midfielder has now delivered a passionate message, calling on Nigerians to change the way they view female athletes.
Okobi insisted that getting married or having children should never be considered the end of a woman’s ambitions, revealing how she fought her way back to professional football just five months after giving birth.
Her emotional testimony shines a light on the challenges many women in sport continue to face while balancing family life with elite competition.
‘Marriage and Motherhood Don’t Make Women Old’
Ngozi Okobi expressed disappointment over the stereotypes that continue to surround married women and mothers, saying many people wrongly assume they are no longer capable of performing at the highest level.
According to the midfielder, society is too quick to write women off simply because they have started families.
“Most of the fans out there, they feel when a woman is married, she’s old.”
“When a woman gives birth, she’s old.”
“She doesn’t have the strength to do whatever she’s doing.”
She argued that motherhood should never be viewed as a limitation, insisting women are capable of achieving remarkable things regardless of how many children they have.
“A career woman can do anything, even though she gives birth to two, three, four, five kids.”
‘They See Women Like Trash’ – Ngozi Okobi
The former Super Falcons star also spoke about the harsh criticism female athletes regularly receive online, describing the comments as both painful and unfair.
Okobi believes women deserve far greater respect and encouragement instead of constant judgment.
“I see so many comments on Instagram, on social media entirely. They see women like trash in this country and it’s bad.”
Her comments echo concerns raised by several female athletes in recent years over online abuse and societal expectations that often force women to choose between family life and professional success.
The Family That Helped Her Return
Behind Okobi’s successful return to football was a strong support system that never stopped believing in her.
The midfielder paid tribute to her husband, family and teammates, saying they continuously encouraged her whenever she felt physically and emotionally exhausted.
“One thing I’m so grateful for is that I have a husband and a family who support me.”
“Who knows my career is more to me.”
She quickly clarified that while football remains deeply important, it does not come before her child.
“I’m not telling you that my career is more than my child, but it seemed a lot to me.”
“So they kept encouraging me even when I feel I’m tired. And also I have teammates that actually helped push me.”
Their unwavering support, she explained, became the foundation that allowed Ngozi Okobi to continue chasing her dreams.
– Read More: Everything To Know as Super Falcons Launches WAFCON 2026 Title Defence Against Fearsome Chawinga Sisters
– Read More: WAFCON 2026 Roars to Life! Morocco and Algeria Hit the Ground Running as Super Falcons Prepares
– Read More: Deborah Abiodun Reveals How Super Falcons Can Rewrite WAFCON History
The Tough Journey Back After Childbirth
Perhaps the most revealing part of Okobi’s story was her admission that she resumed football training only five months after giving birth.
The road back, she admitted, was anything but easy.
“It’s actually not easy, especially when I was coming back from the initial stage, because I started my training when I was five months postpartum.”
“It was tough.”
Returning to elite-level fitness after childbirth is one of the biggest physical and mental challenges faced by professional athletes, making Okobi’s comeback another example of determination and resilience.
A Call to Support Women in Sport
Rather than discouraging women from pursuing their dreams after marriage or motherhood, Okobi believes society should become a source of motivation.
She urged Nigerians to inspire female athletes to believe that family life and sporting excellence can successfully coexist.
“We need to encourage our women. We need to make them understand that, of course, they can actually do more.”
The midfielder also rejected the notion that being a professional footballer prevents her from embracing other important roles in life.
“Me being a soccer player doesn’t stop me from being a wife. It doesn’t stop me from being a career woman, an athlete.”
Okobi’s powerful message goes beyond football.
It challenges long-held stereotypes about women, career progression and motherhood while highlighting that success does not end at marriage or childbirth.
For the Super Falcons star;
“Women should not have to choose between family and ambition.”
“With the right support, determination and belief, they can excel in every role they choose to embrace.”
And if her own journey (from childbirth to returning to professional football just five months later) is any indication, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene has already proven exactly that.
