By Daily Sports Nigeria on March 27, 2026

Galatasaray Women and Super Falcons star Tosin Demehin opens up on the inspiration that shaped her career, the societal doubts she overcame and the pride of representing Nigeria, in this interview with OLAMIDE ABE

Growing up, what was the defining moment that convinced you football was not just a hobby but your way out?

I was born and bred in Lagos State. The defining moment that convinced me football was not just a hobby but my way out was when I watched the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final involving the Nigeria women’s national football team. Seeing how the players represented the country with so much pride made me realise that football could truly become a career for me. At that moment, I told myself that if I stayed passionate, disciplined and worked hard enough, I could also succeed through the game.

What were the toughest cultural or societal barriers you faced as a young girl choosing football in your community?

One of the biggest societal barriers I faced as a young girl playing football was the belief that girls could not succeed through the sport. Many people around me felt that football was meant for boys and that Nigeria did not give enough attention to women’s sports. Some people even said a girl who chose football was only wasting her time because the opportunities were limited. Those comments were difficult to hear, but they also motivated me to keep working and prove that women can succeed in the sport.

Did you ever doubt the dream during those early years, and what nearly made you quit?

There were difficult moments, especially when things were not going well or

when people discouraged me, but I never truly doubted my dream. I always believed that if I stayed focused and continued improving, something good would come from it. The passion I had for football kept me going, even during the toughest periods.

Who invested in you first when nobody knew your name, and how did that shape your mentality today?

My parents were the first people to truly invest in me. They supported me from the beginning and encouraged me to keep chasing my dream. Even when others doubted whether football was the right path for a young girl, my parents believed in me and allowed me to pursue it. Their support shaped my mentality because it taught me to stay confident and never be afraid to pursue my goals.

Captaining the Falconets is no small responsibility. At what point did you realise leadership would define your career as much as defending?

I realised leadership would shape my career during my time with the Nigeria women’s national under-20 football team when I was trusted with the captain’s armband. It made me understand that organising the team, communicating with teammates and setting an example were just as important as defending. Being captain helped me grow both as a player and as a person.

What did wearing the armband teach you about handling pressure from coaches, teammates and a demanding football public?

Wearing the armband taught me how to remain calm under pressure and how to lead by example. As captain, you cannot allow emotions to take over because your teammates look up to you for guidance. I learned how to manage expectations from coaches, teammates and supporters while keeping the team focused on our objectives.

Was there a moment at youth level when you felt the weight of representing Nigeria more than ever?

Yes, there were many moments during youth tournaments when the responsibility truly hit me. One of the strongest moments was standing during the national anthem before matches. Looking around at my teammates and knowing we were representing millions of Nigerians made me feel proud and also reminded me of the responsibility we carried.

How did the transition from youth captain to senior squad member test your humility?

Moving from being captain at youth level to joining the senior squad taught me humility. In the senior team, you are surrounded by players who have achieved a lot in the game and have far more experience. It reminded me to keep learning, listen to the older players and continue improving every day.

You never smile on the pitch even from the youth level. Is it your secret to leading the defensive line?

I see myself as a soldier, and when a soldier is going to war, you do not smile.

When you made your debut with the senior team, what was the feeling like? Was that the proudest moment of your career?

Making my senior debut with the Nigeria women’s national football team was a very emotional moment for me. It was something I had dreamed about for many years. Wearing the national colours at that level made me proud, and it remains one of the biggest highlights of my career so far. It reminded me that all the hard work and sacrifices were worth it.

Winning WAFCON is historic, but titles often mask internal struggles. What did the public not see about that journey?

Winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations was historic, but the journey was not easy. There were intense training sessions, injuries, pressure before big matches and moments where we had to push ourselves mentally and physically. What people saw was the trophy and celebrations, but behind that success were many sacrifices, determination and unity within the team.

Scoring your first senior international goal at the tournament marked a turning point. Did that moment validate your evolution beyond being just a defender?

Scoring my first senior international goal during the tournament was a very special moment for me. As a defender, scoring is not always expected, but it showed that I could contribute in different ways. It was a proud moment that reflected my growth as a player and my willingness to help the team in every aspect of the game.

When the ball struck your hand in the WAFCON final and the referee said it was a penalty, we all saw the distraught look on your face and the way you celebrated when VAR overturned it. How did you feel at that moment?

I was confident because I knew it was not a penalty due to how I positioned my hand. Agba baller [Asisat Oshoala] came to ask me, “Tosin, did it touch your hand?” and I said yes, it touched my hand, but my hand was positioned well. I was so confident that when they checked the VAR and it was announced that it was not a penalty, I did not even realise that I had knelt down until I saw it on TV and asked myself what happened to me that I knelt. I was thinking about what Nigerians would say. They might say I was the one who cost the team. So when I learnt it was not a penalty, I was grateful to God and very thankful.

Source Punch Ng

Posted March 28, 2026

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