Rivers Angels and Nigeria Super Falcons forward Stella Mbachu has announced her retirement from club and country football.
Mbachu, who was a member of the Falcons team that won the just concluded 2014 African Women Championship in Namibia, said she is calling time on her career so as to give younger players more playing opportunity.
The 36-year-old veteran made her national team debut against Ghana in the maiden edition of the AWC hosted in Abekouta. She scored in the Super Falcons 2-0 victory over Ghana in the 1998 competition.
Mbachu, who was voted the Most Valuable Player at South Africa 2010 African Women Championship, scored 20 goals in 89 appearances for Nigeria.
The former Rivers Angels forward said she is fulfilled after winning lot of laurels for her country and club in her football career.
The seven time winner of the AWC is the only remaining member of the Super Falcons that played at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the United States.
The Imo state-born forward also announced plans to venture into coaching as she felt the time is right to take a bow.
“This is complete, I’ve completed everything about football both for national team and club football. I’m not playing anymore,” Mbachu told Radio Nigeria.
“If I’m selected today, I don’t even think I will be selected because I have already made it open that I’m not going to be playing anymore,” she confirmed.
“I just want to rest and give the younger ones the chance. I know they will do it because they are already doing it,” she explained.
“I will embark on a coaching course. I hope to go into coaching now that I have retired from the game,” she concluded.
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