25-6-2025
Newly invited Super Falcons player Chioma Okafor willingly decided to honour Nigeria’s call without any pressure from her parents.
Okafor is eligible to represent Nigeria and Malawi having been born to a Nigerian father and a Malawian mother. Her decision to wear the Nigerian colours caused an uproar in Malawi.
Her mom revealed that the choice was down to the 21-year-old Okafor a top striker for the University of Connecticut USA.
“It was Her Choice, Not Mine,” said Patricia Jiya Okofor on a Facebook post.
“It wasn’t me who made the decision. Nigeria reached out officially. I advised Chioma to make her own choice so she wouldn’t regret it later. Ultimately, she chose Nigeria.”
In 2023, Chioma showed interest in Malawi after visiting the country and training with local teams, including a stint with Bullets Women at the Sports Complex in Blantyre.
“People questioned if she was Malawian, so I encouraged her to make a video and explain that she was born in Malawi,” Patricia added.
“In February, a coach from Malawi reached out, but Chioma couldn’t travel due to her club commitments.
“However, Nigeria were very proactive. They sent an official letter, asked about her eligibility, and facilitated her passport process. She got her Nigerian passport in Atlanta last month.”
“Her dad wasn’t even around when the choice was made. Chioma asked me if I’d be disappointed, and I told her to go with what would make her happy. I’ve celebrated her as a Malawian, but this was her path to choose.”