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Nigeria senior women’s national team midfielder, Halimatu Ayinde is eager to represent her country at the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
After previous outings in 2015 and 2019 editions, the Rosengard midfielder will be making her third appearance at the global showpiece when they will begin against Canada on June 21.
Having made seven Women’s World Cup appearances in previous two-edition, the 28-year-old is no stranger to playing on the big stage as she looks forward to hitting the ground running again.
“First of all, I want to thank God for making it possible for me to make it to my third Women’s World Cup,” Ayinde told NigeriaFootball.ng.
“And it’s a great feeling for me and my career, I’m really excited and grateful, and I can’t wait for a great performance from me and the entire team.”
The former Eskilstuna United star had been the last player to join the camp few days to the conclusion of their final preparations in Gold Coast due to logistic reasons.
Despite her unfortunate late arrival, the former Delta Queens midfielder was among the scorers as the Super Falcons thrashed Lion FC 8-1 in a friendly before heading to its base camp in Brisbane.
“I’m happy to have scored against Lion FC, and I think it’s a good mentality to carry into the main competition,” she concluded.
Ayinde has two African Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title to her name with the Super Falcons in 2014 and 2016. At U-20 cadre, she was part of the Falconets side the finished second at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The career story of the Super Falcons strong midfielder is compelling., having being born to mixed race of Yoruba and Igbo parents in Kaduna, a core Northern state of Nigeria.
Ayinde chose a part not too familiar and popular as a young girl growing up in a conservative and religious environment, which forbids women to getting involved in the sport.
She however, was never deterred by the strict environment where girl-children are traditionally not heard but stayed home as she indulge in the spot, disguising to play on the streets with the boys.
Interestingly, her father a retired military officer did not stand against her wish and neither did her mum as her family will be cheering her to glory at the Women’s World Cup, beginning this week.
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