The 17-year-old striker revealed that her mother initially opposed her ambition to become a professional footballer following the early death of her father, preferring that she settled down through marriage instead.
Chidi, however, found support from her grandmother, who encouraged her to pursue her passion despite the family’s circumstances.
Speaking to BBC Pidgin, the Bayelsa Queens forward said her grandmother played a significant role in keeping her football ambitions alive.
“When I started football, my mother didn’t want me to play. My father died early, so my mother wanted me to get married. It was my grandmother who stood by me and pushed me to play football. Unfortunately, my grandmother is late,” she said.
The Flamingos skipper also credited her foster father, Prince Chidi, for helping her overcome the obstacles on her journey. Prince, who owns her grassroots club, Imo Strikers, provided encouragement and support as she pursued a professional career.
“It wasn’t easy until I met my foster father, Prince Chidi. He is the owner of my grassroots team, Imo Strikers, and he encourages me, making sure that I achieve my dream,” she added.
Beyond the challenges at home, Chidi also endured a serious injury that threatened to derail her football career and ruled her out of the previous edition of the U-17 Women’s World Cup.
She described the injury as the most difficult experience of her career, recalling how some of her friends abandoned her during the recovery period.
“There is nothing that has been more difficult than my injury. It is an injury that has killed the dream of many players in Nigeria. All my friends deserted me and it was tough. I even thought of an alternative plan,” she recounted.
Despite considering other career options, the teenager remained determined to return to the pitch. Her recovery eventually paved the way for her to captain Nigeria to an unprecedented world title in Morocco.
The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final to become the first African country to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
With the historic achievement behind her, Chidi has already set her sights on reaching the highest level of the game, identifying five established footballers as sources of inspiration.
She named Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, Manchester City forward Erling Haaland, England captain Harry Kane, Barcelona winger Raphinha and compatriot Asisat Oshoala as players she hopes to emulate and surpass.
“I have like five players that I want to be like: Victor Osimhen, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Raphinha and Asisat Oshoala. I want to be greater than them,” she said.
Meanwhile, Chidi’s contribution to Nigeria’s historic success has earned her part of the financial rewards announced by President Bola Tinubu for the team.
At a reception held at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, the President, represented by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, announced a ₦100 million Federal Government savings bond for each player.
The bonds are to be preserved for the players’ future, while head coach Akeem Busari received ₦100 million in cash. Members of the technical crew were also allocated ₦50 million each.
