Edo Queens striker Emem Essien has been called up to the Super Falcons for the upcoming international friendlies against Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses. The selection is a landmark moment in her career and recognition of her stellar form in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL).
Essien, the reigning NWFL Most Valuable Player, has played a key role in Edo Queens’ recent dominance, contributing crucial goals and leadership as they successfully defended their league title in the 2023/2024 season. Her consistency and impact have now been rewarded with a national team invitation.
The friendlies are scheduled to hold on Saturday, May 31, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, and Tuesday, June 3, at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta. The matches are part of the Super Falcons’ preparations for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, which will run from July 5 to 26.
Essien’s inclusion reflects a growing commitment by the national team to provide more opportunities to home-based talents and integrate them into international competition.
Editorial
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In a national team long dominated by overseas-based stars, Emem Essien’s call up is both refreshing and necessary. Her rise through the NWFL ranks, capped by an MVP award and another league title with Edo Queens, shows that Nigeria’s local women’s football scene remains rich with untapped excellence.
Essien’s journey is not just a personal success it’s a statement. A statement that persistence, consistency, and performance can still open doors, even in a landscape where foreign leagues often overshadow domestic competitions. It’s also a reminder to the Nigeria Football Federation and Super Falcons selectors that greatness doesn’t always lie abroad it can be found in Benin City, on local pitches, in the heart of the NWFL.
This opportunity is well-deserved, but it’s also just the beginning. Essien now has the chance to prove that NWFL stars can thrive on the international stage. Her performances in the upcoming friendlies won’t just influence her future they could reshape selection philosophies and inspire dozens of young girls playing across Nigeria’s grassroots leagues.
This is more than a debut. It’s a window into what Nigerian football could look like when it truly embraces the talents it has at home.
Did You Know?
- Emem Essien led the NWFL in goal contributions during the 2023/24 season, scoring in nine separate matches.
- Edo Queens have been crowned NWFL champions multiple times and are one of the most structured women’s clubs in Nigeria.
- The MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, one of the match venues, is named after Moshood Abiola a passionate supporter of Nigerian sports.
- The Super Falcons are the most successful national team in the history of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with nine titles.
- The upcoming WAFCON in Morocco will also serve as a qualifying tournament for the 2025 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
