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Perpetua Nkwocha: The Nigerian Football Legend Who Redefined Women’s Game

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3 months ago

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Perpetua Nkwocha remains one of the most celebrated figures in African football history. A prolific striker, an inspiring leader, and a trailblazer for women in sports, she carved her name into the heart of Nigerian and African football with extraordinary talent and resilience.

Early Life and Rise in Football

Born on January 3, 1976, in Nigeria, Perpetua Nkwocha grew up during a time when women’s football was still fighting for recognition. From a young age, her passion for the game was undeniable, and she developed into a gifted forward with a keen eye for goals. By the late 1990s, her skill and determination had earned her a call-up to the Nigerian women’s national team, the Super Falcons.

Record-Breaking Career with the Super Falcons

Nkwocha’s career with the Super Falcons defined an era of Nigerian dominance in African women’s football. She scored around 80 goals in nearly 100 international appearances, making her the all-time leading scorer for Nigeria’s women’s team. Her ability to deliver in high-pressure tournaments turned her into a legend of the game.

Her most remarkable achievements came at the African Women’s Championship (AWC), where she was virtually unstoppable. She won the CAF Women’s Footballer of the Year award four times (2004, 2005, 2010, and 2011), a record that still stands as proof of her enduring excellence.

On the global stage, she represented Nigeria in four FIFA Women’s World Cups (1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011) and played in three Olympic Games (2000, 2004, and 2008). Each tournament saw her carry the hopes of millions, inspiring young African girls to chase their football dreams despite limited support for the women’s game at the time.

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Club Career in Sweden

Beyond her international success, Nkwocha also made her mark in European football. In 2007, she joined Swedish club Sunnanå SK, where she played until 2014. Her time in Sweden not only showcased her quality in one of Europe’s competitive leagues but also highlighted her role as an ambassador of African women’s football abroad. Her long stint with Sunnanå remains a defining chapter of her club career.

Leadership and Influence

Nkwocha was more than a goal scorer—she was a leader who led by example. Though not captain throughout her entire career, she wore the armband on several occasions, guiding the Super Falcons with resilience, discipline, and determination. Her leadership helped Nigeria maintain its dominance in African women’s football for over a decade.

Life After Retirement

After retiring from international football in 2015, Nkwocha transitioned into coaching. She began working with youth teams in Sweden before taking charge of Clemensnäs IF in the Swedish Women’s Football Division 2. In this role, she has dedicated herself to developing the next generation of players, passing on her experience and love for the game.

Legacy

Perpetua Nkwocha’s legacy is not only about goals and trophies—it is about breaking barriers, inspiring women, and proving that African female players deserve recognition at the highest levels of world football. She became one of the few African women to gain international recognition in FIFA tournaments during her era, giving global visibility to the continent’s talent.

Her story is a testament to the transformative power of sports: showing how talent, determination, and courage can elevate someone into a symbol of national pride and continental greatness. Today, she stands as a role model for athletes across Africa and beyond.

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Declare Your Lineage – Royal Family Tells Musician KWAM 1 Over His Interest In Becoming Next Awujale Of Ijebuland

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12 hours ago

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December 7, 2025

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KWAM 1, in a letter dated December 3, 2025, addressed to the chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Agunsebi Quarters, Ijebu-Ode, announced his interest in the stool, describing himself as a “bonafide son” of the ruling house.

The Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu-Ode, next in line to produce the new Awujale of Ijebuland, Ogun State, has instructed Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, to confirm his family’s royal lineage to validate his membership in the ruling house.

KWAM 1, in a letter dated December 3, 2025, addressed to the chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Agunsebi Quarters, Ijebu-Ode, announced his interest in the stool, describing himself as a “bonafide son” of the ruling house.

KWAM 1 also stated that his candidacy aligns with Ijebu customary law and the Ogun State Chieftaincy Laws.

In an interview with Punch, the Chairman of the ruling house and former National President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Abdulateef Owoyemi, said only bonafide members of the family would be allowed to participate in the selection process.

Owoyemi explained that KWAM 1, Olori Omooba of Ijebu land and others interested in the stool have been directed to complete the Fusengbuwa ruling house royal lineage data form.

According to him, the form, which requires contenders to trace their genealogy back seven generations, ensures that only genuine princes from the family can participate, thereby blocking “strangers” from claiming the throne.

He said, “The first step for anyone interested in contesting for the Awujale throne is to declare their lineage by filling the standard Fusengbuwa ruling house royal lineage data form. Once confirmed as a legitimate member of the ruling house, they can then apply for the expression of interest form.

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“We have told him, just like everyone else interested in the Awujale throne, that the first step is to declare his lineage. He will do this by completing the royal lineage data form, showing his full name, which parent and grandparent he descends from, and continuing up to seven generations.

“The completed form will be signed and submitted to the head of the ruling house unit of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, who will affirm that he is a genuine member. Only then will the process move forward.”

Owoyemi emphasised that although the application window for the throne officially closed on December 5, KWAM 1 had been given a five-day extension, which would lapse on December 10.

He noted, “We won’t shut anybody out of picking the next Awujale, but we must ensure that you are a legitimate member of Fusengbuwa. Every right comes with responsibilities. For a royal family, everyone must prove their legitimacy by completing the royal lineage data form.

“When we receive the form, we will review it meticulously. If clarification is needed, we will contact the applicant. We welcome men of influence who will use their influence to enhance the throne, not to claim it, ensuring that what truly belongs to our family is preserved.”

Owoyemi explained that the local government has given them 14 days to select candidates, and the ruling house hopes to have a new Awujale by the second or third week of January 2026.

He added, “The local government has given us 14 days to select candidates, which expires on December 18. After that, the kingmakers have seven days to deliberate and choose one candidate, whose name will be forwarded to the governor.

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“Legally, the government then has 21 days to conduct background checks and security clearance, allowing for objections or protests. After this period, the State Executive Council will ratify the nominee, and the governor will announce the next Awujale, after which coronation rites will commence.

“So, combining the candidate selection, kingmakers’ deliberation, and legal objection period, we are looking at around 42 days. Therefore, we expect the next Awujale to emerge between the second and third week of January.”

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VIDEO: I’m Married But Not In My Husband’s House; I Didn’t Have The Experience Of Living Happily Ever After – Singer Shola Allyson Reveals

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16 hours ago

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December 7, 2025

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While speaking about her love life, the 54-year-old who came into limelight with a love album ‘Eji Owuro’, revealed that she is married but not living with her husband.

Sola Allyson, the popular Nigerian gospel singer, has revealed that she is not currently living with her husband.

The musician made this known in her latest interview on Oyinmomo TV.

While speaking about her love life, the 54-year-old who came into limelight with a love album ‘Eji Owuro’, revealed that she is married but not living with her husband.

Sharing her marital experience, the singer said she has never enjoyed the kind of happiness many people describe.

“I’m married, but I’m not in my husband’s house. We live separately. He in his house and I in mine.”

The interviewer asked: “You sang ‘Eji Owuro’, did you experience genuine love from your husband?

She replied, “We lied before. Those older than us didn’t inform us that it’s tough. They made us believe that so long as you both love each other, you will live happily ever after, but it’s a lie.

“That’s not the experience I have. I didn’t have the experience of living happily ever after. I did all I could to make it work.

“Marriage has been a big challenge. I hear people talk about joy in marriage, but I have never experienced it.”

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VIDEO: Shola Allyson Finally Opens Up, Reveals Why She Does Not Reference Jesus In Her Songs

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16 hours ago

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December 7, 2025

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Recall that Allyson, who is regarded as a gospel singer, was dragged on social media in March 2025 for not directly referencing ‘Jesus’ in all her songs.

Shola Allyson, the renowned Nigerian songstress, has opened up on the real reason she avoids mentioning the name of Jesus in all her songs.

Recall that Allyson, who is regarded as a gospel singer, was dragged on social media in March 2025 for not directly referencing ‘Jesus’ in all her songs.

Reacting to her critics in a post on X, the songstress stated that “No one can bully me into joining their darkness that looks like light because indolent souls find comfort in it”.

Finally revealing her reason for not mentioning Jesus in her songs, Shola Allyson on Saturday during her latest interview on Oyinmomo TV, stated that Jesus did not ask her to do PR for him.

She said “I’m not a religious singer. As I am, I have never introduced myself as a gospel singer. My name is Shola Allyson. I’m a singer”.

Interviewer; “Some people said you don’t mention ‘Jesus’ name’ in all your songs”.

She quickly responded “Jesus did not instruct us to mention his name in songs nor did Jesus ask us to do PR for Him”.

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