New Super Falcons midfielder Joy Igbokwe has described her senior national team debut against Comoros as a memorable experience, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to play alongside some of Nigeria’s established international stars.
The Nasarawa Amazons midfielder was among the new faces introduced during Nigeria’s successful Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games qualifying campaign against Comoros, which ended in a convincing 7-0 aggregate victory for the Super Falcons.
Reflecting on her first appearance, Igbokwe admitted that sharing the pitch with experienced players was a special moment in her career.
“It was a privilege and honour to play amongst big names, and they were really encouraging,” she said.
The youngster revealed that her senior teammates helped her settle into the game, offering reassurance whenever she made mistakes and encouraging her to play with confidence.
“Most of the times I would lose some balls, they were like, ‘You can do it, you can do it. Feel free, relax,’” Igbokwe explained.
She said the positive atmosphere within the squad helped her overcome the pressure of making her international debut and made the experience particularly enjoyable.
“They were encouraging, and it was so fun to be amongst them,” she added.
Igbokwe’s inclusion represents another opportunity for emerging talents in the domestic league to demonstrate their abilities at international level.
The midfielder believes the experience will motivate her to work harder as she seeks to establish herself in the Super Falcons squad.
She also appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting the team throughout its Olympic qualification campaign.
“Keep cheering on the Super Falcons and me as well,” she urged.
“I’ll continue to be dedicated, determined to the team and the country in general.”
With Nigeria advancing to the next round of Olympic qualifying, Igbokwe will be hoping to earn further opportunities to contribute to the team’s progress.
For the young midfielder, the debut was more than a personal milestone: it was an opportunity to learn from experienced internationals and strengthen her determination to represent Nigeria with distinction.
