Joyce Nkechi Ogboh is one of Nigeria’s enthusiastic female footballers that once graced the round leather game at the youth level. Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Point’s ANDREW EKEJIUBA, she talks about her career rise, experiences playing abroad, unfulfilled dreams and her desire to come out of retirement to accomplish her dream of taking football as a career. Excerpts:
How and why did you embrace football as a career?
I started my football career on the streets of Shomolu, Lagos, although I am from Anambra State. Watching the likes of most Brazilian players like Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho and others I picked great interest in football. From Nigeria, people like Austin Jay-Jay Okocha became my role model because I liked the way he plays. And among my female folks, players like Mercy Akide, Maureen Mmadu and Ifeanyi Chiejine inspired me to take to football as a career. I saw love in football, so I started playing wherever I see football.
Share with us teams you’ve played for and tell us what stands you out as a player?
I began my football career with Pepsi Football Academy in Nigeria between 1998 and 2000 before joining Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria Academy in Nigeria between 2000 and 2002.
I later played for F.C.T Queens Abuja between 2002 and 2004. Other teams I played for are Bayelsa Queens (Nigeria 2004-2005), Oladimeji Tigress Akure (Nigeria 2005-2006), Satila SK Kopparbergs Goteborg FC (Sweden 2006-2007) and Falkopings KIK (Sweden 2008). When I returned home, I joined Waco Academy in Abuja, Nigeria (2015 – 2016) and my last club before I retired was Giver Queens FC /Civil Defence (Abuja, Nigeria 2017- 2018). I’m a utility player because I’m naturally blessed with strength such that I hardly run out of energy in a game. That actually stands me out as a footballer. To succeed in football, you must be physically fit to play the game and also technically sound. I have all these qualities with a good height.
Coming to your achievements as a player, can you also share them with us?
I was in the YSFON team that won silver at the Ramat Cup 2000 in Jigawa, Nigeria and in 2001 and 2002 editions we won the gold in Bayelsa, back-to back. In 2002, we won bronze in Nigeria U-19 tournament in Benue, before traveling to Oslo for Norway Cup 2003 where we won bronze. I was also a member of Summer Queens FC of Lagos team that won gold in Goteborg, Sweden, for the 2006 edition of the Gothia Cup. Same year, I represented Ogun State at the National Sports Festival where we won bronze medal in the female football event. While with Giver Queens FC /Civil Defence, in 2017 and 2019 respectively, we won silver and gold respectively at the FCT Nigeria FA Cup finals.
Who among your parents or coaches influenced you into taking to football as a career?
Funny enough, no one in my family does any sport, but my late Dad, Patrick Onoche Ogboh, was the only one that supported my career in football. So, I would say I was influenced by Lagos street football.
Did you play for any of the national teams during your playing career?
No, but I represented Nigeria as a member of that Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria team that featured in the tournament in Norway Cup.
You played active football at home and also abroad, what is your assessment of football organization abroad and back home here in Nigeria?
They are incomparable, because the gap is far between the two. In abroad, football organization is smooth going for a player who knows what he or she wants, but at home it’s the opposite.
How did you feel over the failure of the Super Falcons to qualify for the last Olympics in Tokyo and what does that suggest to you?
I felt very sad. And it simply shows that we are lacking behind in our football development.
What is your suggestion to the Nigeria Football Federation on our football development?
My simple advice to them is that they should work hard towards fishing out fresh talents in football, because Nigeria is blessed and endowed with talented footballers at the grassroots.
Do you have any regrets playing football?
I regret not playing for the national team, the Super Falcons. That is my only regret because I know I have what it takes to play for my country.
Share with us your most memorable match
My most memorable match was the one I played while in Sweden. The last match I played for Falkopings kIk, it was an away game and I came in second half and scored the only and winning goal with a volley. The entire team and fans of the club were delighted with my five-star performance on the field that day. In fact the celebration was much.
What of your most difficult match and opponents?
My most difficult match was the one I played in Nigeria when I was with Oladimeji Tigress; then we played an away game against my former team FCT Queens. My most difficult opponent happened to be Perpetua Nkwocha in 2005. However, my most difficult opponent abroad happened to be Martha of Brazil.
On retirement, what are you currently doing to earn a living?
I’m in and out still thinking of coming back to play football. Even if it’s for a few seasons I will be glad because I feel I still have a lot to offer in the round leather game. For now, I’m into facial modeling and I’m also a fashion designer. Most important for me is that I’m also a single mother with two sons.
Why do you feel you can make a comeback to football after some years of inactivity?
When I look around and I see older players still breaking records I feel challenged.
Although it’s all about me, I feel inside me that I have an unfinished accomplishment in football. Whenever I train with a team people keep asking me why I quit playing football.
For example, my YSFON coach, Waco Wakili of Waco Football Academy, told me that he wants to see me back in football action because I have a lot to offer. When I think about it, I said I will never give up on football. Anytime I play in the field, fans keep pushing me to come back and it gives me hope that soon I will make a comeback.
