Why Many Female Footballers Fear Marriage – Super Falcons Star Ngozi Okobi Reveals

Super Falcons midfielder Ngozi Okobi has spoken candidly about the difficult choices many female footballers face, revealing that some players are reluctant to get married because they fear it could bring their international careers to an abrupt end.

In an interview with the BBC, the experienced midfielder said many women in football worry that marriage or starting a family could affect their chances of being selected for the national team, largely because of long-standing societal perceptions.

According to Okobi, many supporters wrongly believe that a married woman or a mother is no longer capable of competing at the highest level.

“Many of the girls are scared to get married because they feel that once they do, they won’t be called up to the national team anymore,” she said.

She added that the stereotype extends to motherhood, with many people assuming women lose the physical strength and ability needed to perform professionally after giving birth.

“Most of the fans believe that once a woman gets married or becomes a mother, she is old and no longer has the strength to do what she used to do,” Okobi explained.

The Super Falcons star, however, rejected that notion, insisting that women should not have to choose between building a family and pursuing a successful sporting career.

“Being a footballer doesn’t stop me from being a wife. It doesn’t stop me from having a career or continuing as an athlete,” she said.

Sharing her personal experience, Okobi described returning to football after the birth of her son as one of the most demanding periods of her life. She resumed training five months after giving birth and admitted it was a difficult journey as she worked to regain her fitness after pregnancy.

“I started training five months postpartum. It was tough,” she recalled.

The midfielder credited her successful return to the pitch to the unwavering support of her husband, family and teammates, who stood by her throughout her recovery.

“I have a husband and a family who support me. I’m not saying my career is more important than my child, but football means a lot to me,” she said.

Okobi stressed that motherhood did not diminish her footballing ability, noting that only her fitness was affected during her recovery. She said her son has become her greatest source of inspiration, motivating her to keep pushing herself both on and off the pitch.

“Motherhood didn’t take away my skills or my ability. It only affected my fitness. Every day I wake up and look at my son, he inspires me to achieve even more,” she added.