"Everyone came out here to put in a lot of work, and that man deserves it. I’m also extremely proud of myself for being able to make it to the world finals"

"It’s a fair call. He put in a lot of work to get that medal, and if they are trying to rip that away, I don’t think that’s fair. He didn’t deliberately knock over the hurdle — that could happen to anyone"

"I didn’t get a medal but at the same time, it’s still a great year for me, that means I still have a lot of potential to actually compete with these guys so it’s pretty amazing to come out here to compete"

"It’s really amazing to have her around, and after my race, it’s good to see someone I know looking at me and picking my odds"

"I’m also happy with the presence of my partner with me in Tokyo. She’s been supporting me all through the whole year. She was at the NCAA with me and in Nigeria"

"I just go in there, and I try to execute what I’ve learnt. I was fully ready for this race. I’m going to talk to my coach, and we’ll make the right adjustments"

"I’m always confident, but at the same time, I do not underrate my fellow competitors, because anyone could virtually run fast at any time"

"I’m Nigerian so there is nothing that actually surprises me anymore…coming out here doing my best, running a new PR [Personal Record] that’s something big for me"

"With my experience, I just feel that you need to stay focused, listen to what the coaches and the analysts and the staff have to tell you. That's where the real information comes from"

"It's all about you, focusing on your job and what you have to do"

"But, today, if somebody is frustrated they can just write anything (online). That's where we need to be strong and not pay attention to that sort of thing."

"Everything has a good and bad side so, sometimes, try to understand where the criticism comes from - it can help you. We play football for the people, especially in our country and continent where we love the game so much."

"It's never too early, and it's never too late. Just keep going, and you can always be successful"

"We Africans, especially, like to eat good food. But at some point, you have to make a lot of sacrifices"

"There's a lot of sacrifices made to continue staying at the top level for all this while."

"As you're growing older, you need to train more. It's even harder to stop yourself from eating certain foods"

"How long do you want to stay in the game? That's the question you need to answer for yourself"

"Good players around you help, and as time goes on, you get smarter. You find spaces where, maybe in the past, you wouldn't because you can smell it."

"This is why I say I love challenges, because when I see someone ahead of me, that is what I want, because then I tend to push myself to meet up and to pass."

"Every day is for him too, but that day was just like, this one is special because I was just coming back from his funeral and I just wanted everything to be about him."

"But when I see that I am the same as others, there is nobody chasing me to go ahead of whatever standard I am. So right now, I am doubling my work because I have teammates that push me."

"Personally, I love competition."

"In the quarterfinal, I didn't do my arrow celebration because that day was just for my dad. I just wanted to dedicate that day for him."

"I love my new role because I want my name to be synonymous with goal scoring in the elite women’s league."

"For me it was tears of joy and also it was a feeling of me wanting this platform for so long, wanting this for so long and then the special person I wanted to be there was not there."

"I grew up in the midst of men six boys and two girls, and all my play mates were boys, everything about my growing was with boys, always playing street football with them."

"I love to fight for something great, I love to compete because then when I win, I am so proud of myself."

"If I’m not a footballer I would have been a professional barber because I once owned a haircut salon and was very good at it."

"Well, in my team we don’t play under any pressure. We play with peace of mind, and in unity knowing that we are leaving everything in the hands of God. That’s the believe of our coach and her teachings."

"I want to make a career progress by taking my football skills abroad."

"I had no option because I knew that as a striker I should always be present in the box if my team mate is ahead of me because I need to create support options for them and be available."

"My dad was more than a father, he was my foundation, his sacrifices, his wisdom, his hard work shaped the kind of person I am today."

"She does not speak English and I don't speak French, but somehow we communicate. We just understand each other. So we just brought that connection from outside the pitch onto the pitch because we are both forwards and we need each other."

"Sometimes I would sneak out to play with boys and they would beat me when I returned. Eventually, they gave up and started supporting me."

"I always try to give my best and adapt to whatever pattern the coaches bring. With the experience I have, I try to help the younger players settle and excel."

"Playing in such a competitive environment helps you grow mentally and physically."

"Every coach has their style."

"We are back as the giant of Africa."

"Growing up in northern Nigeria is not that easy because they don’t believe that a girl child should play football. From my family, my parents were supportive, but my brothers didn’t want me to play. I was stubborn and didn’t listen."

"It takes a lot of determination to be at this level, and it takes a lot of self-belief because I always believe that I am a born champion."

"I try to promote grassroots football in the North. I’m getting support from the state government, and it’s helping young girls who want to play professionally and pursue their dreams."

"I always try to mentor young players with the little knowledge I have. I talk to them during training and matches. I think they appreciate it—it’s up to them to use what I tell them."

"Sometimes we use Google Translate off the field, but it is not always correct."

"Football is a team sport, and our results come from hard work and dedication."

"Discipline was non-negotiable, but we created an atmosphere where they could talk, trust, and grow."

"Some of the players have been with me since U17 and U20. We’ve built a relationship based on care, structure, and guidance. They ask for advice even outside football — it’s personal. That unity showed on the field."

"We're teaching the younger generation not to give up and to have a fighting spirit. Whatever you want, you gotta work hard for."

"When you make players believe in what you’re doing, magic happens."

"You are not just coaching footballers. You are shaping lives. These young women come with dreams, struggles, and emotions. We play the role of parents too."

"My target is to help the team achieve their objective and plan for the season. My other target is to improve as a player."