Desire Oparanozie announces retirement from football one month after 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

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Desire Oparanozie

Super Falcons star Desire Oparanozie has decided to retire from professional football a month after the conclusion of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The striker, who started her football career at Bayelsa Queens in the Nigerian Women's League, decided to call time on her football career at the age of 29.

She was a member of the Nigeria Women's team that featured at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup but failed to register a goal in the competition.

The former Dijon striker took to her official handle on X to announce her retirement from football with a lovely message to her fans and opponents she faced, according to Complete Sports.

“To my fans, family, and friends, thank you for the show of love and support over the years. It’s time to take a bow, as I believe there’s no better time than now. I’m officially announcing my retirement from professional football for both club and country," she said.

“To every team and coach I have played for, to every mate I’ve played alongside, and to every opponent I have played against, thank you all for being part of this incredible journey. Thank you football, thank you Nigeria. Desire Ugochi Oparanozie.”

After starting her career with Bayelsa Queens at the club level, the Nigerian international moved to another local side, Delta Queens in 2010.

She was sent on loan to Turkish Women's League side Duvenciler Lisesispor in 2011 but returned to Delta Queens two months later.

In 2012, she joined Russian Women's Football Championship side Rossiyanka, before moving to Bundesliga side Vfl Wolfsburg for the 2013/14 season.

After failing to break into Wolfsburg's first team set-up, she opted for a move to Ataşehir Belediyespor to play the second half of the season in 2014.

Her performances for the Turkish club earned her a move to Guingamp, a club where she spent a good part of her club football. Her last club was the Chinese Women’s Super League club Wuhan Jianghan University.

At the international level, she was part of the squad that represented Nigeria at the 2010 FIFA U20 Women's World Cup alongside Asisat Oshoala. She had a good tournament with the Falconets, reaching the finals but lost to the hosts, Germany.

With the Super Falcons, she scored 22 goals in 35 appearances, winning four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles.

Some of her followers took to the comments section to thank Oparanozie for her contributions to the beautiful game and wish her well in her future endeavours.