Meet Chioma Okafor: University of Connecticut's Malawian-born forward eligible to represent Nigeria

Chioma Okafor is a name that has been making waves in the United States. 

Born to a Malawian mother and a Nigerian father in Malawi, Okafor is eligible to play for both countries, and currently plays her football for the University of Connecticut.

Okafor's football journey began in her home country of Malawi, where she grew up playing the sport with her friends. 

However, it wasn't until she moved to the United States in 2019 to attend the Berkshire School in Massachusetts that her soccer career really took off.

During her time at Berkshire, Okafor helped turn the school's girls' soccer team around, leading them to the playoffs in her junior and senior years. 

Her impressive performances caught the attention of college scouts, and she eventually earned a scholarship to play for the University of Connecticut (UConn).

At UConn, Okafor has continued to impress, earning numerous accolades and awards for her performances on the field.

In 2022, she was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team and the All-BIG EAST Freshman Team, and in 2023, she was named a NSCAA Third Team All-American.

Okafor's success on the field certainly didn't come without its ups and downs. 

In 2022, she spoke about the challenges she faced growing up in Malawi, where soccer opportunities for girls were limited. 

However, with the support of her family and coaches, she was able to pursue her passion for soccer and achieve her goals.

By virtue of being born to a Nigerian Father, she qualifies to play for Nigeria. With her records at club level, she will be a fantastic addition to the current National team set up, who will need some injection of young blood at some point.

Ejim Kaycee

Photo Credit: uconnhuskies.com

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