They had so many Visa issues — Michelle Alozie opens up on ‘Crazy’ Super Falcons debut

Super Falcons fan-favourite Michelle Alozie recently opened up on her journey with the Nigeria women’s national team.

The 26-year-old Houston Dash star has seen her stocks rise to becoming one of the most influential Nigerian female footballers in the world.

In an interview with The Women’s Game, Alozie who turns 27 later this month, detailed the crazy story of how she came to wear the Super Falcons colours.

“I always say it’s a fluke. But maybe it was like God setting a plan for me,” she began.

“They [Super Falcons of Nigeria] came for the U.S SheBelieves Cup and they had so many visa issues. They almost had to withdraw from the cup because they didn’t have enough players.

“The coach then, Randy Waldrum, he reached out (I’m not even joking) to like, maybe every Nigerian-American (woman) that was playing soccer in the U.S just so that we can fill the roster.

“He [Waldrum] had no idea who I was and I just happened to be in Houston, happened to be Nigerian-American. It was like perfect scenario.

“They [Waldrum’s coaching crew] came to one training session and they were like…see you at training tomorrow.

“And then I trained with them for one day, and he was like..amazing!, you’ll make the roster for tomorrow’s game. And I was like oh..alright! I guess I’m here, I guess I’m playing now, and ever since then I’ve been in the national team,” she said.

Alozie made her international debut for Nigeria on 10 June 2021 as a 65th-minute substitution in a 0–1 friendly loss to Jamaica.

The game was part of the 2021 US Summer Series taking place in Houston where Alozie was training with the Dash.

She was named to Nigeria's roster by national team manager Randy Waldrum after one training session with the team the day prior.

In June 2023, Alozie was named in the 23-player Nigerian squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

She played every minute of the tournament for the Super Falcons with Nigeria eventually losing to England on penalties after a 0–0 draw in the Round of 16.

Despite the Super Falcons exit, Pulse Sports reported that Alozie gained over 300,000 followers across major social media platforms, having gained prominence for her stunning looks as well as famous clash with Three Lioness star Lauren James during the round of 16 stages of the tournament.

In December 2023, Alozie was named to the CAF Women's Africa Best XI as one of the world's best African players.