Although much of Africa was slow to adopt women's football, Nigeria was an early breaker of ground on the continent. One of the women at the forefront of that seeding and growth was 'Marvellous' Mercy Akide, a powerful, exciting player who proved to a sceptical Nigerian public that women could play an entertaining brand of football and compete against the world's best.

She also signalled to the world that Africa could be a hotbed of women's talent. Akide was named by CAF as the first African Women's Footballer of the Year in 2002 and was the speedy attacking tip of an offensive-minded Super Falcons side that made a gradually greater impact at the FIFA Women's World Cup™ through the 1990s.

Date of birth: 26 August 1975
Birthplace: Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Position: Forward

Career highlights:
3 FIFA Women's World Cup appearances
2 Olympic Football Tournament appearances
3 CAF African Women's Championships
CAF African Women's Footballer of the Year: 2002

Read full story=> http://m.fifa.com/womensworldcup/classic-players/player=pioneering-akide-leads-africa-s-charge-2594150.html

Source http://m.fifa.com/womensworldcup/classic-players/index.html

Seen

I was here

She was magnificent back in those days when she was our shining start but IMO she has been surpassed by Perpetual Nkwocha.

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