Francisca Ordega spoke to FIFA.com

Ordega: Our generation inspired a lot of people

(FIFA.com) 06 Feb 2018



•Francisca Ordega is one of standard bearers of Nigerian women’s football
•The talented striker has played club football on four different continents
•Participation in U-17 and U-20 World Cups put her on the road to stardom


As a youngster, Francisca Ordega, or ‘Franny’ as she is known, was in no doubt about what she wanted to do in life – and it had nothing to do with football. “I wanted to be an actress,” she told FIFA.com with a laugh.

Back then the young Nigerian played football with her brothers and friends just for fun, and it remained that way until she was selected to be a ball-girl for an international involving the national U-19 women’s team. “As I watched them play and saw how the crowd cheered them on, I got very excited and thought, ‘I want to do that too – have the crowd watch me and then thrill them'. It was simply amazing.”

Ordega, in brief
•Striker, 24 years old. Currently plays for Atletico Madrid, on loan from Washington Spirit

•Born in Gboko, Nigeria, she is one of 12 siblings

•Her two main assets are her power and speed

•She has been a Nigeria international since U-17 level

After deciding to pursue a career in football, Franny knew only two things for certain: that the road ahead would be a long and difficult one; and that getting her mother’s approval would be no easy thing.

“In Africa, the footballing infrastructure is not like in Europe, where you have all these age categories. Back home, you need to have talent and really push yourself. When I decided to become a footballer, I said to myself: ‘If you want to make it, you need to work hard. You need to train, watch the pros play, study how they move, how they control the ball…’”

And if that challenge were not enough, there was also her mother’s opposition to overcome. “She didn’t want me playing football in case it interfered with my studies.” Nor was the environment she found herself in very conducive to her career choice.

“It is hard. Families didn’t support girls if they opted for this, nor did their friends and those around them… But things are different now. These days a lot of parents want their daughters to play. I think our generation has inspired a lot of people to follow suit, and, what with social media and all that, we’re everywhere. Girls tell you ‘I want to be like you when I grow up’, and I encourage them.”


Ordega in action for Atletico Madrid

To date, Ordega has featured in four FIFA World Cups: the U-17 edition in 2010, the U-20 one of 2012, as well as the senior World Cups of 2011 and 2015. All four tournaments have had a major impact on her career, especially the youth ones. Indeed, it was her call-up to the U-17 national team that convinced her mother that her future lay in football.

Trinidad & Tobago 2010: the first taste

“It was my first time abroad and we had to face the hosts. Never before had I played in front of so many people. I spoke to my Dad before the game and he said to me: ‘there’s no need to be afraid. Just go out there and be yourself.’ I told my team-mates that if I scored, I’d do a dance in front of our fans – and that’s exactly what I did. While it wasn’t my first goal at that tournament, we were drawing 1-1 at the time, so it was a winning goal. I just went crazy.”


Ordega celebrates opening the scoring against Trinidad and Tobago in 2010


Japan 2012: efforts rewarded


“The memories of this one are not so good, but it was all worth it in the end. I sprained my ankle in the first fixture, and I played with it in subsequent games, which was tough. They gave me injections to play, but when I used to take off the ankle support I’d cry with the pain. Our physio wanted me to stop playing but I said, ‘if I’ve managed to get this far, my ankle isn’t going to stop me’. In the end I finished as our top-scorer, and when my agent later told me I’d been offered the chance to play in Russia, I thought to myself ‘mission accomplished’.”


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giqZFPGR13c
Look back on Ordega scintillating hat-trick against Italy at Japan 2012


Expert advice


This year France and Uruguay will respectively host the FIFA U-20 and U-17 World Cups, and Nigeria will be appearing at both. “It’s a great opportunity for these girls,” said Ordega, drawing on her own experience. “At the moment, when they play not many people notice or could tell you who the best player is, because the games aren’t broadcast. However, at the World Cup they’ll have lots of clubs and agents monitoring them. That’s when everyone will be watching their every move.”


Did you know…?

•She's a fan of English football: Ordega grew up watching the Premier League along with her older brother. Their earliest idols were Thierry Henry –“from the very first time I saw him” – and Fernando Torres –“I shed a tear when I finally met him after joining Atleti”.

•Globetrotter: Since 2012, the striker has played in Russia, Sweden, the USA, Australia and Spain. “Sometimes I can hardly believe it myself. I’ve learned so much from all the different coaches and players, and from the distinct cultures and countries. That has also helped me grow as a person."

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http://www.fifa.com/womens-football/news/y=2018/m=2/news=ordega-our-2928625.html?_branch_match_id=489820620623099020

Francisca Ordega (of Washington Spirit) scores two goals, forces the defender to score an own goal and provides the assist for the second goal.

Washington Spirit 4-3 New Jersey Sky Blue.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCjnhhsHQXU

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Francisca Ordega Foundation
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Somebody help me stone the poster above me.
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What will my grandma think if I tell her I play for Washing thing Spirits

...Shukura you see your life?....na only body you sabI offer



What a beautiful lady , living her dreams !

I began to think the comedian played football in four continents

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she look really really cute by all consideration

Guy wey dey fvck these footballers dey try o.. i can only imagine how strong her laps will be cos of too much muscles.. it's like being gay.

She no get better trouser?

Gangster1ms:
Guy wey dey fvck these footballers dey try o.. i can only imagine how strong her laps will be cos of too much muscles.. it's like being gay.

As in...even that serena husband...that one dey try

we know it has helped you.. how has it helped us?

Stop this crap bro

ify20082:
tested and trusted make money with the winning team call or whatapps below if interested

She's pretty... First female footballer, I literally like because of her beauty.!

Gangster1ms:
Guy wey dey fvck these footballers dey try o.. i can only imagine how strong her laps will be cos of too much muscles.. it's like being gay.

See what this thing is saying

if only they made money.

these girls are way underpaid.
Most of them still have to take up day jobs to survive.

I think I agree with Sepp Blatter's view that more sexy jerseys would attract more investors and sponsors.
just look at tennis!

I go marry her one day

Torres must have **** her he is a super striker in every aspect

The Path Through Genuine Success Isn't Easy .

Hard Work Pays

Tapout:
is she in any way related to nollywood Francis odega??

Not at all. The lady is from benue state.

I celebrate you.

kudos to the tiv girl, am sure the tiv people are proud of her, a lot of Gboko girls especially from queens college are talented just like ordega just that the don't have people to sponsor them, its only in Gboko i see female footballers mixed with the male footballer's to play as a team

Janet,Rebecca you your life only body you can offer.

Waiting for the woman that will tell me not to allow at most two of our kids play football. Fine girl.


Her story inspires.......

Go girl & more power to elbow.Playing fr Atletico Madrid is nt a small job at al.Continue making Nigeria proud girl.

Francisca Ordega, one of the only three Super Falcons players that I actually consider beautiful. The other ones are: Courtney Dike, and Oshoala.

The rest of the players are like ..... OK, you don't wanna know


O pari

naptu2:
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Francisca Ordega Foundation
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my bae