An average African parent believes that the girl child is not supposed to be involved in tough activities that are meant for the male child. Once a girl child picks interest in such activities,she is tagged a “spoilt child” or being called several names.
Don’t just Dream and keep complaining about your gender or background challenges; work for what you believe in and be ready to take the slightest opportunity to achieve greatness in life.
Francisca’s story from a ball girl in Benue State to a professional footballer at Washington Spirit, Nigerian Francisca Ordega’s phenomenal football career is a classic story of grass to grace.
To think of a perfect example of the saying that “dreams do come true, through hard work” and here is someone to behold, Francisca Ordega; a role model and inspiration to women who want to live their dream against all odds.Raised in a tropical Gboko village in Benue State Nigeria, Ordega stood for what she believed in and was optimistic despite environmental and parental challenges.According to her “optimism is the faith that leads to achievement and Success is getting what you want…I always tell people “I never dreamed of the success, I worked for it”
Every glory has a backup story and that of Ordega can be traced to her being among the people chosen to supply balls for the Women’s National team in a match hosted by the governor of her state, Benue. That single opportunity served as a stepping stone for the footballer who was inspired by the team’s ability to soar in a ‘field’ conventionally believed by the society to be ‘men’s area of specialty…According to Ordega the big decision to become a professional footballer was taken on the field on that very day.
Today ‘That Gboko ball girl’ now has her name boldly written at the back of her jersey accompanied with the number ’12’ at Atletico Madrid. At first, Ordega’s mum discouraged her from playing football because momma Ordega wasn’t a sports lover and insisted her beautiful daughter should acquire education in school. On the other hand, ORDEGA gave credit to her father who is ‘the right man for her’ with his sheer support and encouragement.The Super Falcons didn’t just face challenges from her mother but also from the environment,which is common among our contemporary society as well.
“Football is seen as a boys thing in Africa and Nigeria. Indeed, for you to play and develop in the game, you have no choice but to play most-times among boys in your neighborhood. You are seen as a non conventional girl ‘a tomboy’ and a wayward girl in your community. The same people that never supported her football dreams and career now queue up for her autographs like they line up in an ATM machine during the holiday period; you can only but imagine the length of the queue.
Ordega’s hard work and dedication to the beautiful game earned her a place in the national team as she was called up for the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup (women’s football tournament) in Trinidad and Tobago and it was at this point that her mother started believing in her. Ordega remains one of Nigeria’s finest female footballers, she has been playing a crucial role for the super Falcons right from when she made her debut with the senior women’s national team in 2010. In 2010 She represented the under 17, she played the 2010 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup and with the Under- 20 at 2012 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup. At senior level she played in the FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments of 2011, 2015 and 2019.
Today,she is rated amongst the 5 top richest female footballers in Nigeria.
Francisca Ordega is a forward thinker just like her position in the beautiful game. The self-driven footballer shares in the school of thought that say, you can be and achieve anything in this world even without the support of your parents. A theory she has proved on her football journey so far!
Ordega, born 19 October 1993, is one of Nigeria’s finest female footballers. She’s been playing a crucial role in Super Falcons achievements right from when she made her debut with the senior women’s national team in 2010. The Benue born former beauty queen, who was also into modeling said, realizing there’s no limit to what anyone can achieve has been the watch word for her self drive and determination to rise to stardom, coupled with prayers, hard work and dedication.
She currently holds the record of 26 caps and a total of 7 goals to her name playing for the Super Falcons of Nigeria.In an interview last year August, Francisca revealed she is not married yet but intends to soon as she doesn’t intend to play football forever and also revealed her love for children.
FRANCISCA ORDEGA FOUNDATION.
Francisca Ordega Foundation is a non profit and non governmental organization which was established with the sole aim of impacting and touching the lives of the vulnerable people in the society.
Growing up, having little or nothing made her establish this foundation because she knows how it feels to have nothing. So the only thing she could do for her people was to give back to them, especially for the less privileged, those that can’t afford school fees, food, disabled people that can’t walk, those are the lives she established the foundation to touch.
Ordega said that the project is geared towards the less privileged, people with disability, including 20 people to benefit from the scholarship scheme meant for students that can’t afford tuition fees.
In 2021, Francisca shared foodstuffs amongst widows and orphans who had little to live on. (Her own way of giving back to society). In order to celebrate the Foundation’s 10 years anniversary last year 2022, 20 Students were set to benefit from the Full Scholarship Scheme. The program was held in Benue state on 28 December,2022.
Ordega noted that the project is geared towards the less privileged, people with disability, including 20 people to benefit from the scholarship scheme meant for students that can’t afford tuition fees. The foundation which is solely powered by Super Falcons and CSKA Moscow of Russia winger, Francisca Ordega, was established with the sole aim of impacting and touching lives in the society. “My foundation is all about touching lives and giving back to the society, I was once there so I know how it feels to have nothing”
“The only thing I can do for my people is to give back to them, especially for the less privileged, those that can’t afford school fees, food, disabled people that can’t walk, those are the lives I want to touch”.
Francisca’s story is a motivation to all girl child especially those who have passion for Sporting activities but are scared of what society would say.
Go for what you want, don’t just dream but work hard. And know this “HARD WORK DOESN’T KILL AND DREAMS ONLY COME TRUE THROUGH HARD WORK”
Posted By: Blessing AZENDA.
