Football
Exclusive: Shakirat Moshood: Nigeria's World Cup Sensation Harbouring Chelsea Dreams
Shakirat Moshood, Nigeria's star at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, caught global attention with her stunning goal and Adidas Goal of the Tournament award. With dreams of playing for Chelsea FC, she aims for success with Bayelsa Queens while inspiring young girls to remain focused and disciplined.
Pedro Vilela - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images.
After a stellar performance at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, Nigeria’s Shakirat Moshood has emerged as one of the tournament’s brightest stars.
Her incredible goal against the Dominican Republic, which won her the Adidas Goal of the Tournament award, reflects her exceptional talent and sets her apart on the international stage.
Reflecting on the remarkable strike on the global stage, Moshood explained the importance of preparation in achieving such a moment.
“Practice makes perfection because I have been practicing it on several occasions," she told SportsBoom.com. "During training, coaches used to tell me not to play to the first post but to play to the second post, and it worked out for me.”
Now, with dreams that extend far beyond her World Cup success, Moshood has her sights set on joining her favorite club and English champions, Chelsea.
“That will be Chelsea FC because I just like the team, and it is my dream team,” she said, confidently voicing her ambition.
Building on World Cup Success and Handling Challenges
Moshood’s journey through the World Cup was not without challenges. Scoring four goals with two assists, she came close to achieving her goal of winning the tournament’s Golden Boot.
“I wanted to score more than the four goals I scored because my aim was the Golden Boot, but I still thank God. That's how God wants it,” she reflected.
Her experience also taught her invaluable lessons in discipline and resilience, especially after Nigeria’s narrow quarter-final loss to the United States.
“I feel so sad because that was not our aim. We aimed to win the quarter-final and play in the final. That's God's wish. I feel so sad,” Moshood shared, acknowledging the heartbreak but remaining grateful for the growth the journey afforded her.
Continuing Development with Bayelsa Queens
Back home, Moshood’s training with Bayelsa Queens has played a vital role in her development as she credits the club for pushing her to improve and keeping her prepared for the higher intensity of international competition.
“We do train well at Bayelsa Queens, and when I was listed to be at the World Cup with the national team, they always train hard with me because they know that national team training is more than that of club sides,” she said.
For the upcoming NWFL Premiership season, she’s set herself new goals after the Prosperity ladies missed out on the title, finishing third in the 2024 Super Six on their home soil, in Yenagoa.
“I want to do better than last season because last season, I scored only two goals. Next season, I want to score more than that,” Moshood stated, aiming to make a bigger impact on the league.
Message for Young Girls and Inspiration
A firm believer in the importance of guidance and discipline, Moshood shared advice for young Nigerian girls aspiring to follow in her footsteps.
“What I have for them is that they should remain focused and determined. They should also listen to their coaches,” she said. Moshood draws inspiration from her mother, whom she described as her biggest supporter.
“That has to be my mother. She always advises me and supports me in everything. My teammates also advised me, but my mother is the best,” she revealed, expressing gratitude for her mother’s unwavering support.
On the Path to Greater Recognition
Despite missing a possible nomination for the 2024 CAF Young Women’s Player of the Year, Moshood hopes her World Cup form will open doors for further recognition just like former U20 and University of Pittsburgh's Deborah Abiodun.
“I will feel happy to be nominated for the award, and I believe my performance at the World Cup will help me win awards,” she said, envisioning what winning would mean for her career.
“Winning the award will make a name for me. Everywhere I go, it will be there that I am the African Young Women's Player of the Year.”
As Moshood balances her commitments to both club and country, her sights remain set on her dreams of playing for Chelsea and continuing to make Nigeria proud on the world stage.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014.