Nigeria’s U-17 Women’s World Cup-winning captain, Harmony Chidi, has revealed how family opposition and a career-threatening injury nearly ended her football ambition before she led the Flamingos to a historic title in Morocco.
The 17-year-old said her mother initially wanted her to abandon football and get married following the early death of her father, but her grandmother encouraged her to pursue the sport.
Chidi made the revelation while reflecting on her journey to becoming captain of the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
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“When I started football, my mother didn’t want me to play. My father died early, so my mother wanted me to get married. It was my grandmother who stood by me and pushed me to play football. Unfortunately, my grandmother is late,” she told BBC Pidgin.
She also credited her foster father, Prince Chidi, who owns her grassroots team, Imo Strikers, with supporting her ambition and helping her remain committed to football.
“It wasn’t easy until I met my foster father, Prince Chidi. He is the owner of my grassroots team, Imo Strikers, and he encourages me, making sure that I achieve my dream,” she said.
The Bayelsa Queens striker also recalled how an injury forced her out of the previous edition of the U-17 Women’s World Cup, describing the setback as the most difficult period of her career.
She said the injury affected her confidence and strained relationships with some of her friends, leaving her considering an alternative career path.
“There is nothing that has been more difficult than my injury. It is an injury that has killed the dream of many players in Nigeria. All my friends deserted me and it was tough. I even thought of an alternative plan,” she said.
However, Chidi recovered from the setback and went on to captain Nigeria to a 2-1 victory over Japan in the final of the 2026 tournament in Morocco.
The teenager, who is already looking beyond her World Cup achievement, named Victor Osimhen, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Raphinha and former Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala as players she hopes to emulate.
“I have like five players that I want to be like: Victor Osimhen, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Raphinha and Asisat Oshoala. I want to be greater than them,” she said.
Her role in Nigeria’s historic triumph also earned her a share of the presidential reward announced by President Bola Tinubu.
At a reception for the team at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, the President, represented by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, announced a N100m Federal Government savings bond for each player, with the funds preserved for their future.
Head coach Akeem Busari received N100m in cash, while members of the technical crew were allocated N50m each.
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