Harmony Chidi, captain of Nigeria’s U-17 Women’s World Cup-winning team, has revealed how her mother initially opposed her football ambition and wanted her to get married after the early death of her father.
The 17-year-old said her grandmother was the first person in her family to support her decision to play football, helping her pursue a career despite her mother’s reservations.
Chidi made the revelation while speaking to BBC Pidgin after leading the Flamingos to their historic 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup victory in Morocco.
“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 said.
The Bayelsa Queens striker also credited her foster father, Prince Chidi, with helping her continue her football journey. He owns her grassroots team, Imo Strikers, and encouraged her to work towards becoming a professional player.
“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 added.
Chidi’s progress was also interrupted by a serious injury that prevented her from featuring in the previous edition of the U-17 Women’s World Cup.
She described the setback as the most difficult period of her career, saying the injury affected her confidence and led some of her friends to abandon her.
“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 recounted.
The teenager eventually recovered and returned to the national team, going on to captain Nigeria to its first-ever U-17 Women’s World Cup title.
The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in the final in Morocco, making Nigeria the first African country to win the competition.
Chidi said she hopes to build on the achievement and named five footballers whose careers inspire her: Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala, alongside Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Raphinha.
“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 the team’s success also earned her a share of the reward announced by President Bola Tinubu.
At a reception for the players at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu announced that each member of the squad would receive a ₦100m Federal Government savings bond to be preserved for their future.
Head coach Akeem Busari was awarded ₦100m in cash, while members of the technical crew were allocated ₦50m each.
