Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team captain, Harmony Chidi, has opened up about the family challenges she faced while pursuing her dream of becoming a professional footballer.
Chidi revealed that her mother initially opposed her football ambition and preferred that she got married rather than build a career in the sport.
According to the young captain, her grandmother was the only family member who encouraged her to continue playing football despite her mother’s disapproval.
Sadly, she disclosed that her grandmother has since passed away.
“When I started football, my mama didn’t allow me play. She didn’t want me playing football; she wanted me to get married. Only my grandma encouraged me, and now my grandma is no more,” she said.
Injuries and Lost Friendships
Chidi also spoke about the difficult moments that tested her determination, identifying injuries and losing friends as some of the most painful experiences of her football journey.
She explained that some people who were once close to her distanced themselves during difficult periods.
Despite the setbacks, she remained committed to achieving her football dreams.
Chidi Wants to Surpass Oshoala
The young football star revealed that she draws inspiration from several international footballers, including Victor Osimhen, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Raphinha.
She also identified Super Falcons legend Asisat Oshoala as one of her biggest inspirations.
However, Chidi has an even bigger ambition: to achieve greater success than the Nigerian women’s football icon.
“My dream is to be greater than Asisat Oshoala,” she declared.
Her story highlights the determination, personal sacrifices and resilience behind her ambition to become one of Nigeria’s leading football stars.
