Nigeria’s U-17 women’s captain, Harmony Chidi, has revealed the family challenges she faced before becoming a football star.
The 17-year-old disclosed that her mother initially opposed her football ambition and wanted her to get married instead.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Pidgin, Chidi explained that her father died when she was young. Following his death, her mother preferred marriage over a football career.
“When I started football, my mother didn’t want me to play. My father died early, so my mother wanted me to get married. It was my grandmother who stood by me and pushed me to play football. Unfortunately, my grandmother is late,” she said.
Chidi credited her late grandmother for encouraging her to pursue football despite the opposition she faced at home.
She also praised her foster father, Prince Chidi, who owns her grassroots team, Imo Strikers, for supporting her development.
“It wasn’t easy until I met my foster father, Prince Chidi. He is the owner of my grassroots team, Imo Strikers, and he encourages me, making sure that I achieve my dream,” she added.
Career-threatening injury nearly ended her dream
Chidi also opened up about a difficult period when a serious injury disrupted her football journey.
The injury forced her to miss the previous edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, despite being part of the squad during the earlier cycle.
She described the setback as the most difficult experience of her career.
“There is nothing that has been more difficult than my injury. It is an injury that has killed the dream of many players in Nigeria,” she said.
The young footballer added that some of her friends abandoned her during recovery, leaving her struggling emotionally and considering another career path.
“All my friends deserted me and it was tough. I even thought of an alternative plan,” she recounted.
However, Chidi recovered and eventually captained Nigeria to a historic victory at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Chidi wants to surpass Osimhen, Haaland and Oshoala
Despite her achievements, the Bayelsa Queens striker says she has bigger ambitions.
She named five football stars she admires and hopes to emulate: Victor Osimhen, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Raphinha and Asisat Oshoala.
“I have like five players that I want to be like: Victor Osimhen, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Raphinha and Asisat Oshoala. I want to be greater than them,” she said.
Her ambition comes after leading the Flamingos to a 2-1 victory over Japan in the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final.
The triumph made Nigeria the first African nation to win the competition.
Tinubu rewards Flamingos players with ₦100m bonds
Following the historic victory, President Bola Tinubu announced rewards for the team during a reception at the State House in Abuja.
Through First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, each player received a ₦100m Federal Government savings bond to support their future.
Head coach Akeem Busari received ₦100m in cash, while members of the technical crew were allocated ₦50m each.
For Chidi, the achievement represents a remarkable turnaround from the early opposition and injury setbacks that once threatened her dream.
The teenager has now set her sights on an even bigger future in football.
