Meet Ann Chiejine, the FIRST Super Falcons of Nigeria goalkeeper; She represented Nigeria at the 2000 summer Olympics with 4-month pregnancy and 5-month pregnancy during the 2000 WAFCON.

Ann Chiejine is a pioneer goalkeeper of women football in Nigeria, and one of Nigeria’s most iconic female footballers of all time. At the inaugural 1991 FIFA World Cup, Ann was the undisputed number 1 for Super Falcons at the age of 17.

“I didn’t know that I was pregnant, it was not good, it was FIFA that brought me out and I later discovered that I was four months pregnant, But I choose to continue the tournament, It was a big risk, a very big one but I took the risk for Nigeria,” Chiejine told Brila FM.

The legendary goalkeeper continued the tournament until the Super Falcons were knocked out of the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. From there, she proceeded to the 2000 African Women’s Championship, which was held in South Africa about a month later. Ann Chiejine was between the sticks as Nigeria won the tournament, beating the host in the final match.

Ann Chiejine represented Nigeria in three World Cups in 1991, 1995, 1999 and the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Chiejine won four (4) Africa Women’s Cup of Nations titles (1998, 2000, 2002, 2004) and was part of the team that reached the quarterfinals of the 1999 Women’s World Cup in USA.

During her playing career, she plied her trade in Nigeria with Flying Babes; Kakanto Queens; Jegede Babes; Rivers Angels; Flying Angels; Larry Angels and Pelican Stars. She almost signed for Arsenal female team, but was denied visa by the British embassy in 1999.

Ann Chiejine retired from international football in 2005.

She got married in 1992, at the age of 18 to Mr Uche Chiejine. They are blessed with four children – two boys and two girls.

Ann will be 49 by the 2nd of February.