In Ilorin, the capital of Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim Kwara State, a group of teenage girls is quietly rewriting the rules of what’s possible for women in sports. At the Model Queens Football Academy, 17-year-old Maryam Muhammed laces up her boots each day — hijab, leggings, and all — determined to prove that faith and football can coexist. “They tell me I won’t achieve anything,” she says. “But I believe I will achieve something big.”
Despite enduring taunts and disapproval from some in her community, Maryam insists on dressing modestly even in the sweltering heat. For her, covering up is both a personal conviction and a symbol of pride. Her mother, Kehinde Muhammed, stands firmly behind her: “So many people discouraged me,” she says, “but I respect my children’s decisions. I support her and keep praying for her.”
The girls’ perseverance mirrors a global movement that began after FIFA lifted its hijab ban in 2014, paving the way for players like Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina, who made history at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Now, in the heart of Nigeria, Maryam and her teammates are carrying that legacy forward — proving that passion, not prejudice, should define the game.
#Kwara #WomenInSports #HijabiAthletes #FootballForAll #Nigeria
