Yewande Balogun, the Super Falcons goalkeeper, has officially announced her retirement from professional football
Balogun, who was part of Nigeria’s squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, made one appearance for the nine-time African champions during her career.
The goalkeeper shared the news of her retirement on Instagram, reflecting on her journey in the sport.
Balogun expressed gratitude for the highs and lows of her career, stating that her journey was a story of belief, determination, and resilience.
Acknowledging the lessons and relationships she gained, Balogun emphasized the significance of her experiences off the pitch, from the places she visited to the people she met along the way.
“Maybe it’s fitting that I never officially announced ‘retirement’ after university and after having knee cartilage replacement surgery. While it left me with no actual closure from my playing career, it also left open a door to go back to playing, and it was so obvious to walk through it when the opportunity presented itself a decade later,” she wrote.
“In this story, a lifelong dream of playing professional football, a dream I believed to be long lost, was revived. I was blessed to have represented Nigeria on the international stage. I lived and played in different countries and I never stopped learning about the game, about the world, or about myself,”
“My body is saying it’s time to close this chapter and hang up the boots (for real this time), but I thank God for every step of this journey. I’m forever grateful to the beautiful game and all it’s given me, so here’s to continuing to find ways to give right back,”
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