Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Jennifer Echegini says representing Nigeria remains a responsibility she intends to embrace fully for as long as she continues playing, despite already appearing at a FIFA Women’s World Cup and Olympic Games and winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Echegini, who is part of the Super Falcons squad pursuing qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games, believes her previous achievements have strengthened rather than reduced her desire to succeed with the national team.

The midfielder said playing for Nigeria carries a unique significance because of the team’s history, the pride associated with the national shirt and the passionate support it receives from fans.

She regards the opportunity to represent a country with hundreds of millions of people as an honour, while also recognising the responsibility that comes with it.

Echegini on representing Nigeria

Echegini said the relationship between the Super Falcons and their supporters makes international football different from playing for a club.

The involvement of Nigerian fans, she explained, gives every appearance for the national team added meaning. Their backing creates a distinct sense of duty, with the history of the Super Falcons adding to the expectations placed on the players.

Although she has already experienced some of the biggest occasions in women’s football, Echegini said she is not prepared to treat those moments as the peak of her international career.

Taking part in the Olympics and World Cup, as well as winning the WAFCON, has not satisfied her ambition. Instead, she wants to continue improving and give the Super Falcons everything she can while she remains an active footballer.

Her aim is not necessarily to become the best player in the world or the highest-paid footballer. Rather, she wants to finish her career believing she fulfilled her potential and made the most of the opportunities available to her.

Making every season count

Echegini also stressed that a football career can be shorter than expected. Although she will complete only three years as a professional footballer in December, she said she understands how quickly the next decade could pass.

For that reason, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder does not want to look back with regrets about what she might have achieved had she worked harder or taken greater advantage of her opportunities.

She would prefer to assess her career with satisfaction, knowing she had given her best and made every season count.

That approach is also shaping her ambitions with Nigeria. Having already represented the country at the World Cup and Olympics and helped win the WAFCON, Echegini remains focused on contributing to further success.

With Olympic qualification for 2028 in view, she wants to continue taking every opportunity to help the Super Falcons add to their history rather than regard their past accomplishments as the limit of what they can achieve.