Despite her Malawian roots, US-based footballer Chioma Okafor has chosen to play for Nigeria’s Super Falcons after an official approach and swift passport processing by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).
Last week, the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) confirmed that the 21-year-old, who has a Nigerian father and Malawian mother, opted for Nigeria following discussions with her family. Chioma, who plays for the University of Connecticut, has been named in Nigeria’s squad for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Earlier this year, Malawi’s coach Lovemore Fazili invited Chioma to join the Scorchers’ camp ahead of a friendly against Zambia, but she did not attend. Her mother, Patricia Jiya Okafor, clarified that the decision was entirely Chioma’s.
Why Nigeria Over Malawi?
Patricia stated, “Nigeria reached out formally—they sent a letter expressing interest. I left the choice to her so she wouldn’t regret it later.”
Last year, Chioma had shown interest in representing Malawi, but confusion arose over her nationality due to her Nigerian name. Patricia explained, “People questioned if she was truly Malawian, so she made a video clarifying she was born in Malawi.”
Formal Approaches Compared
While Malawi’s coach contacted Chioma in February, she couldn’t attend due to club commitments. In contrast, Nigeria’s federation acted swiftly, securing her passport within a month. Patricia noted, “They even arranged for her to get a Nigerian passport in Atlanta—I haven’t even seen it yet. Their seriousness stood out.”
No Parental Influence
Patricia denied influencing her daughter’s choice, saying, “Her father wasn’t involved. I told her to choose what made her happy, even though I’d always celebrated her Malawian ties.”
What’s Next?
Chioma has been called up for Nigeria’s WAFCON preparations, with a letter sent to her university confirming her selection. She is set to debut for the Super Falcons in Morocco.
Patricia emphasized that while Chioma remains connected to Malawi—having trained there as recently as 2023—Nigeria’s proactive efforts ultimately swayed her decision.
