Just a day after the Super Falcons recorded yet another spectacular feat by winning the African Cup of Nations after a remarkable run into the final, we would like to report about another Nigerian lady, Maureen Nkeiruka Mmadu, an Ex-Super Falcons player who is currently making waves across Europe. Nigerian women are again becoming a force to be reckoned with in the world of sport.
First it was Rinsola Babajide scored 14 Goals in a match that ended 40 – 0, now we celebrate Anambra-born Maureen Nkeiruka Mmadu, the first Nigerian woman to coach a European football club.
She was born on May 7, 1975 and hails from Onitsha in Anambra State. She is a Nigerian football coach and former midfielder. As a player, she most recently represented Avaldsnes IL, a First Division team based on Norway’s west coast. She played for several other teams in Norway’s Toppserien as well for Linköpings FC and QBIK in the Swedish Damallsvenskan.
Maureen was the first Nigerian player to make 100 appearances for the Nigeria women’s national football team including appearing at four FIFA Women’s World Cups as well as the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics.
Today, she is the only Nigerian women coach handling a premiership club in Europe.
“From 2012 to date, I have been the assistant coach in Avaldsnes team and chief coach of the same Avaldsens 2 division too,” said Maureen. “So, I’m in the Premier League as assistant and chief coach of 2 division in this same team.
“The club have a lot of respect for me because of my immense contributions to them as a player; I have my UEFA C license as a coach.
She has also not made a secret of her ambition to become the Head Coach of the Super Falcons one day.
“I am also a coach developer in my team since 2012 and I think Nigeria should tap from my wealth of experience as a player and as a coach too.
“I have gathered experience over the years, having played in Europe for 13 years and also as a coach for the past three years with a Premier League women’s team and also a Division 2 women too.
“If I am given the opportunity to handle the Super Falcons, I am going to bring in my best with a lot of experience and teach them how modern-day football is played.
“I will do my best to change their mentality to the way modern football is played now but I have refused to lobby anybody for the job.
