Patricia Okafor, mother of promising women’s soccer player Chioma Okafor, has distanced herself from her daughter’s recent decision to commit her international future to Nigeria over Malawi, subtly suggesting that the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) may not have been as proactive as their Nigerian counterparts.
Chioma, born in Malawi to a Malawian mother and Nigerian father, was eligible to represent either nation and had previously expressed a desire to play for Malawi’s Women’s National Team, the Scorchers, even recording a video to that effect last year.
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However, in a surprising turn, FAM announced on June 18, 2025, that following discussions with her parents, the USA-based University of Connecticut striker had chosen to commit to Nigeria. FAM’s statement acknowledged that they had received official communication from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) indicating Okafor’s commitment, and that subsequent engagement with the family confirmed her intention.
Speaking to Bolanews.co, Patricia Okafor clarified that the decision was solely her daughter’s, emphasizing her own non-involvement. “It’s not me, it was her choice. Nigeria wrote a letter, I didn’t have any say, it was her choice, I told her to choose so that she would not regret in the future, so it came from her.”
While reluctant to directly criticize FAM, Okafor’s mother highlighted the stark contrast in the two federations’ approaches.
When asked if FAM was serious enough, she responded, “I can’t say, I can’t say anything because it’s not me, it’s them, I don’t want to say anything against anyone, so no, I can’t say anything. All I know is that she trained with them in 2015. In February [2025], they contacted her to come over, but she couldn’t make it.”
She then elaborated on Nigeria’s proactive efforts: “But the Nigerian team they were there asking for her; they are the ones who helped her to get a Nigerian passport. I have never seen it even. They told her to go to Atlanta, she went there and made the passport for her, so you can see how serious they are. They got his passport last month, so they were very interested in her.”
Okafor confirmed that the Nigerian FA reached out officially. “Oh yes, I have a letter from Nigeria in my phone to say they want to have my daughter and they want to know more about her, if she played for the Malawi team, and asked if she was involved in the U17, which I said no.”
She recalled Chioma’s earlier interactions with Malawian football, stating, “She played with Tabitha [Chawinga] way back here in Malawi, but when traveling, she failed to be with the team. The last time she was called was in 2015; she was young then. It was the first time to be called. She had training with the Scorchers.”
The mother’s account paints a picture of a Nigerian Football Federation that was highly engaged and actively facilitated Okafor’s integration, including swiftly processing her passport, in contrast to what appears to be a more passive approach from FAM in recent months.
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