Shifting the goalposts
Teenage girls in Nigeria's Islamic heartland are reshaping societal perceptions through soccer
Updated: 2025-10-17 10:27
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"Why would a lady choose football?" she asked.
But, after her husband gave his blessing, the mother relented. "Seeing other Muslim girls succeed, like Asisat, encouraged us to let her play," she said, referring to Nigeria star Asisat Oshoala, the record six-time African Women's Footballer of the Year.
Oshoala, who does not wear a hijab on the pitch, comes from Lagos, in southwest Nigeria, where Islam is less conservative.
Gaining popularity
Despite growing interest, female participation in soccer remains low in Ilorin, said Ambali Abdulrazak, a local football administrator.
