Super Falcons goalkeeper Yewande Balogun has announced her retirement from professional football.
The goalkeeper took to her Instagram story to announce her retirement to bring an end to her remarkable career that saw her represent the Super Falcons on the global stage.
The 35-year-old attributed injury as one of the reasons for her decision.
The US-born goalie’s journey to professional football was not straightforward.
After university, she underwent knee cartilage replacement surgery, which left her without closure from her playing career.
However, she was given a second chance when she was invited to join the Super Falcons for a friendly match against the United States (her country of birth) in June 2021.
This opportunity led to a stint with French Première Ligue side AS Saint Etienne, where she spent two years before being released in 2023.
Breaking the news on her official Instagram handle, her retirement marks the end of an unpredictable journey that was filled with highs and lows. Despite facing numerous challenges, she remained determined and took risks to pursue her dreams.
She also went on to express her gratitude for the opportunities she had to represent Nigeria on the international stage and to play in different countries.
Balogun also acknowledged the people who supported her throughout her journey, including those who helped make her dreams possible.
“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.
“The journey has been unpredictable with some beautiful highs and some dark lows. Sure, my path could have been different, but then so would the story. Now the story is one of belief; in God, in myself. One of determination against so many odds.
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“One of taking risks, saying yes, and jumping far away from the safety net and into the unknown. A story of being too afraid of regret to even consider failure.
“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.
“They say it’s not about the destination but the journey, and what I can tell you is that many of the best parts of this story didn’t take place on the pitch. They are the memories from the places I got to see, and the people I met along the way.
“Many who walked alongside me, many who supported me, and the occasional antagonist. They all gave me reasons to keep the faith and continue to find the joy in all of it, despite the circumstances or plot twists. I’m especially grateful to the ones who helped make it all possible in the first place.
“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. Thank you for all for the love and support along the way.”
During her time with the Super Falcons, she was part of the squad hand-picked by former coach Randy Waldrum to represent the country at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
She was the team’s third choice goalie at the tournament behind first choice Chiamaka Nnadozie and second choice Tochukwu Oluehi.
