Guingamp of France striker, Desiree Oparanozie has set a personal double target to achieve with Nigeria’s female national team, Super Falcons at this year’s African Women Cup of Nations in Ghana.
Speaking ahead of the Falcons’ opening match against South Africa on Sunday at ACON 2018, Oparanozie said she wants to win the title again and help Nigeria reach next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Opranozie, who started her career at Bayelsa Queens of Yenagoa later moved to Delta Queens of Asaba in 2010 before going abroad, she is happy with the successes she has gained with the national teams, but is always yearning for more.
As a junior international, she scored two goals in the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and three goals in the 2012 tournament.
Oparanozie was also a part of Nigeria’s squads to the 2010 and 2014 African Women’s Championships, winning both tournaments, and scoring a free kick in the 2014 final.
After winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League VfL Wolfsburg of Germany three times, before joining Guingamp, Oparanozie says she aims to be at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France and take her game to another level.
Oparanozie declared: “I have been involved in football for as long as I can remember. As far back as when I was 10, but professionally since 2012.
The number one thing that drives me is passion among every other thing. I have inexplicable love for the game.
“Football is a game I found myself playing. It’s something I grew up with. I wasn’t influenced by anyone. I think I was born with the interest for it.
“I hope to help the team the best way I can to retain the trophy and also qualify for the World Cup next summer in France. Everything is possible and achievable, but the truth is it won’t be easy.”
