Falcons live with pressure of winning – Echegini News

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Falcons live with pressure of winning – Echegini

By Daily Sports Nigeria on July 18, 2025

Super Falcons and PSG midfielder, Jennifer Echegini, in this interview with CAF Online, talks about playing in her first WAFCON tournament and Nigeria’s target to win a record-extending 10th title

At 24, you’ve already played in the World Cup and the Olympics, and now you’re playing at your first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. What does this tournament mean to you?

It’s very special. I’ve been in major international competitions, but I haven’t played in a WAFCON until this year. This is my first time, and I’m very excited. I watched the last edition two years ago and already thought: “One day, it’ll be my turn.” Now that moment is here. It’s a different atmosphere, a different energy. Representing my country on the African continent is a huge honour. The Women’s AFCON is about history, culture, and emotion.

How do you assess Nigeria’s group stage performance, and how difficult does it get from here?

It’s a tough group. On paper, we’re the favourites, clearly. But in this kind of tournament, that doesn’t mean anything. No team should be taken lightly. We’ll need to be focused from the first minute and never underestimate the opposition.What role do you expect to play for the Super Falcons during this AFCON?

I’m a midfielder, so my role is to create, organise, and also score when I can. I want to be a constant support for my teammates across all areas of the pitch. Nothing complicated—just doing what I know how to do. Simply being useful.

Since July 2024, you’ve been playing for PSG. What do you appreciate most about your new life in Paris?

There are so many things I love here. What stands out the most is being able to train every day alongside exceptional players. Every session is a learning moment. Some of them I used to admire on TV when I was younger, so now sharing the field with them and learning from them is such a rich experience.

You were the first African player to join PSG. What message did you share with Agueissa Diarra (Mali) and Merveille Kanjinga (DR Congo), your two African teammates, when they joined?

I told them to believe in themselves. It doesn’t matter where you come from—your background should never limit you. Being from a particular country or region doesn’t define your value. What matters is what you show on the field. At PSG, we’re all on the same level, in the same locker room, and we have to fight for what we want. Self-belief is the key.

Paris has recently invested in several African players. What do you think about this trend, and what impact can it have on the development of women’s football in Africa?

I’m proud that European clubs are starting to take us seriously. Too often, African players are reduced to just strength or speed, but we have so much more to offer the game. This recognition changes things. It sends a strong message to young girls across the continent: if we made it, they can too. They shouldn’t limit themselves to stereotypical traits.

Nigeria is a powerhouse on the continent, with a rich history in this competition. How do you handle the pressure of always needing to win?

We live with it. The pressure has always been there. When you wear the Nigerian jersey, you know the expectations are sky-high. But that’s a good thing, really. It’s those standards that shape who we are. Nigeria has won this competition multiple times. As the new generation, it’s our duty to carry on that tradition. So yes, there’s pressure. But everyone—the fans, the staff, us—wants the same thing: victory.

With increased media coverage, do you sense a change in how African fans view women’s football?

Definitely, I’ve been with the team for three years now, and I see real progress. There’s more coverage, more interest, more visibility. This tournament has always been important, but it didn’t get talked about enough. Today, things are changing—and that’s excellent. The more people understand the importance of this competition, the more African women’s football will grow.

What message do you want to send to young African girls watching you from Lagos, Cotonou, or Abidjan, dreaming of following in your footsteps?

I’d simply tell them to believe in themselves and never stop working hard. Every journey is unique. I’m Nigerian, but I wasn’t born in Nigeria. I grew up in the Netherlands, in the UK, and spent time in the US… My story is different from some of my teammates who grew up in Lagos or Abuja. But that’s the point, no matter where you come from, the path may be different, but the destination can be the same. We can all reach the top level, each in our own way. You have to believe in yourself and never doubt yourself. You set your own ceiling. If you tell yourself you won’t make it, then you won’t. Don’t let anyone convince you that you can’t. Work hard, believe in yourself, and go for it.

Source Punch Ng

Posted July 18, 2025