Nkwocha in goal celebration

Veteran Nigeria striker Perpetua Nkwocha has announced her international retirement.

The 35-year-old’s announcement follows the Super Falcons poor performance at this year’s Fifa Womens World Cup in Germany where they failed to make it past the group stages.

“This is certainly my last World Cup and the best time to leave the stage for the younger ones to express themselves.

“Nobody can say that l have not contributed to the growth of the game, but right now it is time to move up in life,’ she said.

Nkwocha has represented Nigeria at four African Women Championships between 2002 and 2004, winning all four, three Olympic Games tournaments and three World Cups.

She overtook Mercy Akide as the leading goal scorer at the African Women Championships, although she has failed to score at the World Cup.
It is an imbalance she is keen to redress.

“We have the game against Canada being our last but all hope for me is not lost even though l thought that by now l would have scored,” she said.

“Against France l played very deep and against Germany l played in the midfield so maybe this time around l could be placed in the good position that would enable me score.”