We identified two of our top five players of all time in the
1st piece http://chiquadiva.blogspot.com/2015/05/presenting-top-five-female-players-of.html.
In fifth place was our darling Asisat Oshoala and in fourth place
was the fascinating Ann Chiejine.
What we'll be chronicling in this piece are
the top three that have cemented their places in history and of course in our
hearts
Strap Yourselves In.....
3) Florence Omagbemi
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| Omagbemi |
There are well and truly no words that can't
effectively convey the status of such an enigma. How do you describe a legend
like Omagbemi? Popularly known as "Skippo", a name that didn't end
with Stephen Keshi during his playing days, she is the longest serving Captain
of the national team (both men and women) and as such was the epitome of
panache and some more.
As a defender who could be utilized as a deep lying
midfielder, she exuded grace, oozed assertiveness, played with conviction,
backed her teammates with morale, undaunted dedication and caped it by leaving on
a HIGH. Little wonder she is vastly credited as the FACE of the 1st Generation
Falcons- a team that did not even exist before 1991 and the leader that
galvanized Nigeria to its best finish at the World stage; Quarterfinals in 1999-.
She represented Nigeria in four world cups 1991, 1995, 1999 and 2003 as well as
the 2000 Olympic games. Not only did her exploits end with the team, she went
further in arming herself with the necessary tools to thrive and succeed as a
Coach. She has been involved in virtually all tiers of the Women's team in
Nigeria.
Pre Retirement- Relevant
Post Retirement- Still Relevant
Can we still dream of a team of Omagbemis...Please????
Now here comes the
crunch tie. We are about to unravel unarguably two of the most lethal players
of all time. Rightful heiresses to the tag of THE BEST
BUT..
2) Mercy Akide
.......Falls just a notch short. For none
other than the apparent reason of longevity (How Cruel). My word did we have
some talent! "Marvellous Mercy" was to Nigeria what Beer is to the
Germans....We got drawn to and drunk in her stupendous brilliance!
She was a brute
on the field, a midfield menace; an attacking bug that just wouldn't go away, a
force of nature to be reckoned with in Africa and beyond its shores. She served
the nation in three World Cups; 1995, 1999 and 2003 as well as Sydney 2000 and the
Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Four time Winner of the Africa Women's Championship,
she also took home the debut accolade of the African Women's Player of the Year
in 2001. She made the FIFA 1999 and 2004 World All Star list.
We can keep
raving about her but I believe we can agree in unison that it is the team and
individual laurels that separates the Shark from the Catfish (pardon my French)
and Mercy was indeed a Shark.
She continues to post successes beyond her
playing days; as a Coach to a US based collegiate team. This FIFA Ambassador
has got it all hence, it's unfathomable that there's still someone who trumps
her incredulous achievement.
*DRUM ROLLS*
1) Perpetua Nkwocha
There were just too
many things about her that made us brag that we had our very own Ronaldinho
seasoned with some Pele topping. Ronaldinho in the sense of the jaw dropping finesse,
skill and a great smile; Pele with that unmatchable brilliance and deadly
finish.
Nkwocha was told many times just like Serena Williams to leave the women's'
category of her sport and play in the men's'. Derogatory in part, but the idea
should not be lost in some sexist translation.....She operated in another
galaxy!! If Mercy Akide was a raw spark then Perpetua Nkwocha was the finished
magic.
Her might, pace, intelligence, awareness and clinical touch was a
defender's nightmare and this made all the difference for the next generation
of Falcons. This four time Africa Women's Player of the year (2004, 2005, 2011,
2012) and FIFA Women's Player of the Year nominee is the leading Nigerian goal
scorer of all time.
She has won the AWC 5 times; 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014
and has represented Nigeria in three World Cups 2003, 2007 and 2011 and three
Olympic tournaments in 2000, 2004 and 2008. This 39 year olds' steely resolve has
given birth to the generation of the Oparanozie, Oshoala and Ordega; one she
can look at with pride. Currently playing and Coaching in Sweden, Perpetua will
fall into anyone's Nigerian team of 11 and that in itself is a testament of not
just her worth but her legacy as the most decorated African player of all time.
So there you have it. Not the quintessential team of five
with all the World Cup titles or Ballon D'or awards that we would have
certainly loved but a team of winners. Our Winners...
And We Love Them. Just the Way They Are!
