Super Falcons player Blessing Illivieda has opened up about her decision to report to the national team camp just days after the tragic loss of her husband, revealing that it was out of respect for his belief in her football career.
Blessing Illivieda was in the Super Falcons’ squad that secured a 2-0 victory over the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in an international friendly match held at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta.
Speaking on the emotional decision to honour her national team invitation despite personal tragedy, Illivieda reflected on the deep connection between her football journey and her late husband’s unwavering support.
“Coming to camp is the uttermost respect I can give to my husband. I was expecting him to come and watch our friendly like he promised me on the phone,” she said in an interview with BBC News Pidgin.
More Read
“They called me that he wasn’t feeling well. Within two days, the God who created him called him home.”
Illivieda revealed that her late husband had celebrated her call-up shortly before falling critically ill, and she felt compelled to fulfill a promise she made to him.
“The call-up came before I was called that my husband was sick. He was even happy for the call-up because that is what he prays for, that I wear this badge.”
“If I didn’t come, that means I don’t even love my husband or I don’t appreciate his prayers over me. What keeps me like this is the promise I made to him that the world will hear my name.”
Illivieda acknowledged that her decision to rejoin the team so soon after her loss might not sit well with everyone. However, she made it clear that her focus was never on public approval, but on fulfilling a deeply personal commitment.
“I knew that not everybody would like it and not everybody would take it, but I don’t do this for everybody, I’m doing it for the man that said he’ll marry me and see me climb to the top.”
“Plenty people in my situation find it hard to come out, but you need to make yourself happy, not just to flaunt, but when there is a wound in your heart, it’s hard to heal, if God doesn’t enter that heart.”
© Bold Media Innovations & Creative Hub Limited. All rights reserved. If sharing, kindly credit Bold Sports as the source and include a link to the original post. Unauthorised use is prohibited.
