"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."

"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 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."

"We didn’t start the tournament so well. But we held on and stayed faithful. We achieved what we wanted."

"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."

"Every coach has their style."

"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."

"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."

"Unfortunately, things didn’t go well as we planned in this tournament. We really fought hard to reach the goal but we couldn’t, but it's also part of the game."

"We are back as the giant of Africa."

"my insecurities from when I started in the industry is the difference, because I am constantly learning with every set I go into."

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

"Back then, women's football wasn't seen the way it is today. But I knew I was good."

"Being able to inspire the younger generations means a lot to me."

"We need as much fans as we can get and we need support, so keep supporting, and we’re gonna get the trophy."

"We work for one another; we die for another on that field of play. It doesn’t matter who is playing or not playing. Whoever is chosen does the job. Even when the coaches change things up and bring in new players, you cannot see who has been subbed off and who has replaced them."

"But I think it's good, you can tell women's football is growing. The coaches are now becoming more wiser in how they approach games. It is good for the fans and it is good for the league."

"The only competition we can and have competed in is the COSAFA Cup, so I honestly don’t know what I can achieve with my national team. Maybe I will be one of those great players who retire without ever being at a major tournament."

"As coaches, we are genuinely delighted with the remarkable form displayed by our girls. We take immense pride in their techniques, solid positioning and growing tactical awareness. It brings us great satisfaction to witness their diligent implementation of the training sessions. Naturally, we are also thrilled with their consistent winning performances. However, as coaches, we recognize the importance of preventing complacency and nurturing a hunger for continuous success. It is our responsibility to guide and motivate them towards reaching new heights and achieving even greater accomplishments."

"We are never taken seriously as female footballer, but I feel that this is changing gradually. We should be equal to men in this sport because we play it well."

"Every girl should keep on working hard because anything is possible in life. I never thought I’d end up here one day, but it’s possible. It happened for us, and it can happen for anyone. And never neglect your school, school comes first along with football. Education will make you accomplish your dreams, so take your future seriously, that’s what I tell our youngsters in the team."

"I went through a lot in my life, it was never easy. You need to be disciplined in your life, to focus, take responsibility and work harder than you can, that’s what I did and will keep doing."

"It’s every player’s dream to play abroad, and I am no different. I would like to see myself getting out of my comfort zone and challenge myself against some of the best players in the world."

"There are many players who wish to be in our place right now, we are very grateful to be here. And I feel it can open more opportunities for me, so I’m grateful."

"But at the end of the day, you don’t do things to please people but to please yourself and for your well-being and what you think is the best for you. At the end of the day, it’s about you."

"We did apply ourselves and did everything we could to win, but sometimes when it is not your day, it’s not your day."

"Yes, we might sweat, but at the end of the day, we need to go out there and collect all three point."

"Things that keep me hungry for success are making myself and my family proud. Wanting to give back and to be remembered. To leave a mark everywhere I touch or pass. My desire to win and to realise my goals."

"The World Cup is every soccer player’s dream, including mine. I would love to play at a World Cup and believe that if it’s meant for me it will come to pass. For now, I can only control the variable in my power, continue to work hard, stay disciplined and determined. The rest is up to God."

"At 6 years old, football was very interesting for me. My family encouraged me to play and then I started playing with a girls’ team after playing in the streets for a long time."

"Putting the ball in the back of the net is always a good feeling because goals help us to win games."

"Thank you for the support. Without them, we wouldn't have been able to make it. We hope they keep supporting us."

"To the educators, support the kids, by all means be the mentor that they never had growing up or they wish they always had. Encourage learners to pursue their dreams however emphasise the importance of education, especially to the girl child! The fight for equality in sports continues."

"I had to make time management one of my main practices and prioritize my studies before my football, because I was a student before being a soccer player. Discipline, dedication and hard work – these are some the traits that helped me balance my football and studies."

"It is important for girls to have someone to show them the way, and I take this seriously. I would love my values and actions to inspire the next generation and give hope to the hopeless; to be someone young girls wish to emulate. I also want to help young girls feel like they belong, especially in a sport seen to be male dominated. They need to be inspired when looking, hearing, or seeing me."

"Try to accept yourself and be kind to yourself. It’s the most important and perhaps the toughest thing to do. Practice looking after your needs and refrain from putting your wellbeing at risk to please others. Continue loving yourself even when someone treats you poorly, bullies you, or shows you disrespect."

"Teachers played an integral part of my life. They were the ones who constantly kept me on my toes academically and with my football. The support was the most important part from my teacher and lecturers throughout my education years. The understanding that I am a student athlete was very important."

"Having to be mentally strong is very important in life and having an understanding that things won’t always go our way is important. Dealing with hurdles is important."

"Work hard, hard work always beats talent when talent doesn’t work."

"Adapting to a new country with a different culture and way of doing things was tough at first."

"No matter who you are or where you come from, have confidence in yourself and follow your path. Rise above your circumstances – never let them define where you can or want to end up."

"We need all the supports we can get. Women’s football is growing larger. The more people watch it, the more it keeps growing for sure, for women’s sports."

"Awards don’t always reflect reality, but the pitch never lies."

"When you score goals, you increase your chances of winning games. As such, we are determined to score more in April. I am happy with the way even the new signings have hit the ground running in terms of putting the ball in the back of the net."

"I am grateful to pursue my love for music and football simultaneously. Doors that I have never imagined are opening for me because I work hard in all that I do. It is a marvellous time to live a dream that I never saw coming. Now that I am realising my dreams across both fronts, I aim to keep soaring higher. Like I always say, believe in your dreams, because if you do not give up, that dream will become a reality"

"What a time to be alive. I appreciate the fact that we live in a time where we as the youth are reaping the blessings that our ancestors struggled for."