Super Falcons' top striker, Perpetua Nkwocha, was a delight at the just-concluded African Women Championship (AWC) in South Africa, even as scouts invaded the Nigerian camp in Sinaba searching for the continent's all-time prolific striker.
Nkwocha made history for herself and her country by scoring at every match played by the Super Falcons of Nigeria. And before going to press, no one could predict the number of goals she would score in the final after hitting another hat trick in the semi-final game against Cameroon on Thursday. She has so far distinguished herself from her peers and it would be a surprise if she misses out of this year's female Africa Footballer of the Year award, currently held by Salamata of Equatorial Guinea.
Already, scouts from different female leagues across the world are eager to have the signature of the Imo State-born strike-sensation. But she is not in a hurry to say yes to any yet, as according to her, “after the party, I will consider my future because presently, I am happy with my club.”
On the secret of her staying power, being the only surviving member of the Falcons that played the maiden edition of the AWC, Nkwocha said: “I am a strong-willed woman that has only football as a source of livelihood. I had the belief that football would give me the opportunity to wine and dine with kings and as such, I abstained from all vices that could derail my dream and I can gladly say that I am happier for it.
“I am grateful to my team-mates, because without them, I can do little. They provide the passes that aid my goal scoring ability. I am also grateful to the coaches who believe in me.
“I think I still have some years to play the game, but I have to watch and see how it goes.” Having also scored a hat trick in the opening game's 5-0 spanking of Mali at the championship, Nkwocha led the goal scorers' chart with 10 goals after Thursday's semi-final game. On a personal level, the Thursday's victory added to the growing buzz flowing round Nkwocha, who was voted the African Women Footballer of the Year in 2004 and 2005 by CAF. She looks good to have another shot at the award once again.
Nkwocha, born on January 3, 1976, currently plays for Swedish Damallsvenskan club, Sunnana SK. She participated in previous CAF AWCs in 2002, 2004 and 2006, winning all three of them. At the 2004 AWC, Nkwocha scored four goals in the final against Cameroon to help Nigeria win the title. It was then that she set her previous record by scoring nine goals in the championship. She was voted the Best Player of the tournament.
The striker has also participated in two editions of the FIFA Women's World Cup finals (2003 and 2007), and Olympic tournaments in 2000, 2004 and 2008. In June 2008, the BBC reported that Nkwocha had announced that she would retire from active playing career this year, and thereafter, would take to coaching.
Nkwocha made history for herself and her country by scoring at every match played by the Super Falcons of Nigeria. And before going to press, no one could predict the number of goals she would score in the final after hitting another hat trick in the semi-final game against Cameroon on Thursday. She has so far distinguished herself from her peers and it would be a surprise if she misses out of this year's female Africa Footballer of the Year award, currently held by Salamata of Equatorial Guinea.
Already, scouts from different female leagues across the world are eager to have the signature of the Imo State-born strike-sensation. But she is not in a hurry to say yes to any yet, as according to her, “after the party, I will consider my future because presently, I am happy with my club.”
On the secret of her staying power, being the only surviving member of the Falcons that played the maiden edition of the AWC, Nkwocha said: “I am a strong-willed woman that has only football as a source of livelihood. I had the belief that football would give me the opportunity to wine and dine with kings and as such, I abstained from all vices that could derail my dream and I can gladly say that I am happier for it.
“I am grateful to my team-mates, because without them, I can do little. They provide the passes that aid my goal scoring ability. I am also grateful to the coaches who believe in me.
“I think I still have some years to play the game, but I have to watch and see how it goes.” Having also scored a hat trick in the opening game's 5-0 spanking of Mali at the championship, Nkwocha led the goal scorers' chart with 10 goals after Thursday's semi-final game. On a personal level, the Thursday's victory added to the growing buzz flowing round Nkwocha, who was voted the African Women Footballer of the Year in 2004 and 2005 by CAF. She looks good to have another shot at the award once again.
Nkwocha, born on January 3, 1976, currently plays for Swedish Damallsvenskan club, Sunnana SK. She participated in previous CAF AWCs in 2002, 2004 and 2006, winning all three of them. At the 2004 AWC, Nkwocha scored four goals in the final against Cameroon to help Nigeria win the title. It was then that she set her previous record by scoring nine goals in the championship. She was voted the Best Player of the tournament.
The striker has also participated in two editions of the FIFA Women's World Cup finals (2003 and 2007), and Olympic tournaments in 2000, 2004 and 2008. In June 2008, the BBC reported that Nkwocha had announced that she would retire from active playing career this year, and thereafter, would take to coaching.
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