A former Super Falcon goalkeeper Ann Chiejine has said that she was not aware of the four month pregnancy that was discovered by the test conducted by the Federation International Football Association (FIFA) before her participation in the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics.
Chiejine, who represented Nigeria in three World Cups in1991, 1995, 1999 and the 2000 Summer Olympics, stated this at the unveiling of Asisat Oshoala as the face of the 2016 Women Federation Cup.
“I didn’t know that I was pregnant, it was not good, it was FIFA that brought me out and I later discovered that I was four month pregnant,” she said.
The mother of four children, who addressed aspiring young women footballers, advised them not to venture into distractions that may hurt their dream but be determined, diligent and focused to achieve in life.
“God want me to get there, I had the passion and there was nothing wrong in winning the World Cup. Female footballers dominate in the world and I am sure it will bounce back to Nigeria,” she said.
The Special Adviser of Sports to the Lagos state governor, Mr. Deji Tinubu, however, added that women footballers in Nigeria are not fully accorded their due and supported.
