Now retired from Professional football today take care of her home and children, Mekuleyi wishes the Super Falcons success in the 2024 WAFCON tournament.
Former Super Falcons player, Titilayo Mekuleyi believes her children can make it big in professional football after their training videos went viral on social media, Soccernet.ng reports.
The ex-Super Falcon made it to the headlines again, this time, not for her performances on the pitch, but for training her children who have picked up their mother’s genes in little to no time.
In an exclusive interview with Punch Nigeria, Mekuleyi revealed how the journey with her children started and envisions where she wants her children to be in the nearest future.
She represented Nigeria at the maiden edition of the U-19 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Japan, 2002, but they didn’t make it past the group stage. She also collected a gold medal from the All African Games in 2003.
Now a mother of four, Mekuleyi revealed her transition into football after having all her children birthed the love for the game inner own kids.
“I tried to get my body back after I had all my kids, but I didn’t know they were watching. One day, I sat down, and by themselves, they started doing what I always did. That intrigued me, and I started training them,” the ex-Super Falcon revealed in the interview.
The Mother mentioned that the Father of the children is also a footballer and trains with them whenever he’s around. The Father put a mini-turf, goalposts and cones in place for the children to have a proper training experience.
The first two kids, Ayomide and Akorede Adegbite also spoke on their ambitions as aspiring footballers. Relatively nine and seven years old, and with an abundance of football DNA in their genes, the training has given them a big edge.
“I love playing football, and I like watching Cristiano Ronaldo. I want to be like him, “ seven-year-old Akorede said, meanwhile his elder sister, Ayomide wants to give her all to play professionally.
“I love playing football and I want to be a footballer,” the nine-year old mentioned in clear terms.
Mekuleyi revealed that it’s not been an easy journey so far, preparing the children for life ahead, but believes her efforts will yield results in the future.
“It’s not easy. Sometimes I take them to play with their peers, but because of school, they mostly train at home. They listen and they’re willing to learn. I believe they’ll make it big as long as they’re willing to learn.”
Now a Mother-Coach, Mekuleyi wishes the Super Falcons success in the upcoming Women African Cup of Nations tournament that will be held in Morrocco next year.
