Harmony Chidi, the 17-year-old captain who led Nigeria's Flamingos to the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup title, has revealed that her mother wanted her to get married instead of playing football.
Chidi told BBC News Pidgin that after her father died early, her mother opposed her football ambition, and that only her grandmother stood by her dream.
- Chidi captained Nigeria to a 2-1 win over Japan in the World Cup final in Morocco
- Her grandmother encouraged her football until her own death
- Her foster father, Prince Chidi of Imo Strikers, later backed her career
Harmony Chidi on her mother's opposition
"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," Chidi said.
The Bayelsa Queens striker said it was not easy until she met her foster father, Prince Chidi, owner of her grassroots team Imo Strikers, who encouraged her and made sure she kept chasing the dream.
Her story mirrors that of teammate Kemi Adegbuyi, who told her own no-sponsors story earlier this week: this world-champion team was built by girls who had to fight for permission to play.
The injury that nearly ended Chidi's career
Chidi also recounted how a serious injury nearly ended her career and ruled her out of the previous edition of the U-17 Women's World Cup, calling it the most difficult period of her journey.
"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.
She recovered to captain Nigeria to the title, the first ever won by an African team, and says her ambition now is to surpass Super Falcons legend Asisat Oshoala.
What happens next
Chidi's interview is the latest FLAMINGOS WATCH chapter since Tuesday's Villa reception, where each player received a 100 million naira FG Savings Bond. Attention now turns to her club future at Bayelsa Queens and the senior national team pathway.
Credit: BBC News Pidgin interview with Harmony Chidi, reported by The Sun and Punch, November 12-13, 2026.
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