Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team captain, Harmony Chidi, has revealed that her mother initially opposed her ambition to become a professional footballer, preferring that she got married instead.
Chidi disclosed that her grandmother was the only family member who supported her football dream when she began playing the sport, despite her mother’s disapproval.
Speaking about the challenges she encountered while pursuing her career, the young footballer said her grandmother consistently encouraged her to continue playing before her death.
“When I started football, my mama didn’t allow me play. She didn’t want me playing football; she wanted me to get married,” Chidi said.
“Only my grandma encouraged me, and now my grandma is no more. It’s just me and my mum now,” she added.
The Flamingos captain also identified injuries and the loss of friendships as some of the difficult experiences she faced during her football journey.
According to her, some of her friends abandoned her while she was battling injuries, making the period particularly challenging.
Her account highlights the personal struggles and sacrifices she endured while pursuing a career in football, despite facing opposition from her family and setbacks along the way.
Chidi has since emerged as one of Nigeria’s promising young football talents, leading the Flamingos to a historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in the final to become the first African nation to win the tournament.
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