Edo Queens striker Emem Essien, during this conversation with
Abiodun Adewale
offers perspectives on her path in football, her aspiration to assist Nigeria claiming the FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy, along with her dedication to leading the current NWFL champions in both retaining their championship and making a comeback to the CAF Women’s Champions League.
ou
Won the NWFL MVP award last season and led Edo Queens to their inaugural championship. Reflecting on this accomplishment, how does it compare with your other successes in soccer?
It stands tall at an extraordinary height, symbolizing how monumental our achievement truly was, placing us right at the heart of history. Using ‘ginger’ to describe last season seems fitting; I felt driven by every element surrounding me—from my loved ones to my fellow team members—and even the broader club community. This past year marked significant progress both domestically and across the African continent. It brought global recognition to me. Being crowned the top player in the NWFL carries substantial weight, considering those who’ve held this title previously. This honor greatly propelled my professional journey, and I am deeply thankful to my club for providing me with the support needed to soar.
How did you react when you didn’t receive the honor of being named the CAF Inter-Club Player of the Year, despite your nomination?
Initially, I wasn’t pleased about missing out on the award, yet receiving a nomination without clinching victory still motivated me to think that success is within reach. This particular recognition from the CAF awards represents just one step or division for me; I strongly feel that over time, I’ll secure more nominations and ultimately claim a significant triumph.
What strategies have you used to sustain your high performance, and what motivates you to keep striving for greater achievements?
What truly motivates me is knowing that I haven’t reached my goals yet, which means I must keep pushing myself even harder to achieve the lofty aspirations I had when I was young.
This season, things appear relatively calm for you up until the playoffs. Recently though, you’ve managed to score three goals in three matches, keeping your title defense possible. How hopeful are you regarding this situation?
Our objective is to retain our championship as a unit. This isn’t solely my responsibility—it requires everyone’s contribution, and each member must continue giving their best. Having claimed the league crown last year, we established ourselves as a formidable presence, which has drawn attention from rival teams. Thus, for us to repeat our success, I understand how crucial my part is, and we’ll battle until the very last moment.
The champion of the league earns the right to compete in the WAFU B tournament and subsequently secure a spot in the Champions League. The Edo Queens participated in it last year, but do you fancy swapping that opportunity for something else this season?
The ultimate objective is clear, yet we’re advancing gradually. My aim is to assist Edo Queens in achieving success through various contributions, particularly by finding the back of the net. Our collective dream is for Nigeria’s women’s team to become the inaugural African champions of the CAF Champions League. Nationally speaking, my ambition extends to helping Nigeria clinch victory in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
What was your experience like in the Champions League during the previous season when you managed to score three goals and the team ended up in fourth place?
It was worth it. It was an experience that we would love to have again, especially because of the valuable lessons we learned in our debut season. It was quite disappointing that we finished fourth, but we can also be proud of ourselves. As everyone can see, we are doing everything again to make sure we get back into the Champions League. So we will see how that goes.
A memorable moment from the previous season was during the match against Mamelodi Sundowns. Can you share what was running through your thoughts when you scored the late goal and helped Edo Queens secure victory?
To be honest, I believed we might lose, but my body refused to give up. It felt like some evil force was messing with my thoughts since losing that game would have eliminated us. However, scoring the equalizer during added time turned things around, even though our determination remained high. Mamudu then secured a 2-1 victory for us in the closing moments of the match—a truly memorable encounter considering they were the reigning champions.
What important insights have you gained from this experience, particularly since you’re now heading the team?
I’ve come to understand the value of prioritizing others and motivating my team members. Effective leadership means lifting everyone up and achieving shared victory. The sight of people collaborating brings me joy. Being part of one of the finest squads in Africa fills me with great happiness as we face off against other elite teams. This journey has significantly enhanced both my abilities and self-assurance.
What steps do you take to get ready mentally and physically before games?
I prepare mentally by maintaining happiness; listening to favorite songs helps with this. Whenever possible, I also speak with valued individuals prior to matches. Physically, I ensure I avoid anything that could negatively affect my performance during competitions.
How did you get into soccer?
To start off, I’d like to extend a huge thank you to God Almighty; everything traces back to Him. My journey commenced with pickup soccer games. This began when I was attending primary and secondary schools where I would play alongside my relatives and buddies. Despite having always loved football, it was actually my father’s encouragement that kept me going. Throughout my upbringing, he remained my most significant role model. Our household comprises nine siblings: six sisters and three brothers, nearly everyone shares this love for football. Hence, pursuing a professional path in sports wasn’t difficult at all within our family environment.
Before joining the Edo Queens team, I’ve represented clubs such as Ibom Angels and Sunshine Queens, among others. The spark igniting my zeal originated from appreciating how beautiful the sport can be. Observing top athletes receiving accolades, trophies, along with financial rewards further fueled my desire.
What obstacles did you encounter during your journey, and what steps did you take to surmount them?
In contrast to several of my peers, I never had issues with my folks. As mentioned earlier, my father stood as my principal ally. The real hurdle came from injuries, which are an inevitable aspect of this sport. A significant obstacle arose during early November 2023 due to a severe injury. However, through the encouragement and assistance of loved ones, I overcame this adversity effectively. My time away from competition lasted half a year beginning in November 2023, yet here I am—returning triumphantly by securing both the championship title and the Most Valuable Player accolade. Should anyone inquire about my success story post-injury, I would attribute it to adhering diligently to the rehabilitation regimen alongside earnest supplications.
What other pastimes or passions do you have aside from soccer?
I enjoy dancing, reading and writing.
What strategies do you believe could help Nigerian women football players continue to make a significant global influence, similar to what Oshoala and Ajibade have achieved?
We must keep putting forth our best efforts. (Asisat) Oshoala and (Rasheedat) Ajibade began their journeys just as many of us did in the NWFL today, and we are pleased that they serve as excellent role models for us to emulate. The future looks even brighter since I am confident that these players, along with those legendary figures who came before them, have paved the way forward.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).
