Female Footballers in Ilorin Face Criticism for Playing in Hijabs and Leggings

Date: 2025-10-23

In Kwara, a Muslim-majority state in north-central Nigeria where religious traditions strongly influence daily life, some young women are actively defying cultural expectations through football.

These young athletes have discovered the camaraderie, competitive spirit, and emotional journey of the sport, even as they face disapproval from those who question its appropriateness for modestly dressed women.

When 17-year-old Maryam Muhammed heads to practice at the Model Queens Football Academy in Ilorin, she endures intense heat, which is made more challenging by her essential hijab and leggings, alongside community criticism.

"They tell me I will not achieve anything. But I believe I will achieve something big," she says, reflecting a defiant determination despite regularly encountering taunts on her way to training. For Maryam, maintaining modest dress while playing is non-negotiable, even though it is sometimes uncomfortable.

"Sometimes it feels like I want to open the hijab, but I must not expose my hair," she explained. "I have to put it on as a good Muslim."

FIFA initially banned hijabs in 2007 on safety grounds, resulting in Iran's women's team being excluded from a 2012 Olympic qualifier. The restriction was eased in 2012 and fully lifted in 2014. Morocco's Nouhaila Benzina made history as the first hijab-wearing player at a senior women's World Cup in 2023.

Kehinde Muhammed, Maryam's mother, has weathered criticism for supporting her daughter's passion. "So many people discouraged me," she admitted. "But I respect my children's decisions. I support her and keep praying for her."

She creates custom hijabs matching team jerseys, emphasising: "I counsel her that this is the normal way you are supposed to be dressed as a Muslim."

Model Queens coach Muyhideen Abdulwahab works to change community perceptions. "We go out to meet parents, to tell them there are laws in place for modest dressing," he said. "Despite that, some still say no."

Nineteen-year-old team member Bashirat Omotosho balances her love for football with family responsibilities. She often misses training to help her mother sell puff puff, a fried dough snack, at their roadside stall to support the family.

"Training is often in the morning, but I have to be here," she explained while serving customers, watching her teammates sometimes jog past during practice. "I cannot leave my mum - this is how I earn money."

Titilayo Omotosho, Bashirat's mother, initially opposed her daughter's athletic ambitions.

"Why would a lady choose football?" she questioned.

Omotosho's stance softened after her husband's approval and seeing successful Muslim players like Nigeria star Asisat Oshoala. "Seeing other Muslim girls succeed, like Asisat, encouraged us to let her play," she said, referencing the record six-time African Women's Footballer of the Year. Oshoala, who plays without a hijab, comes from Lagos in southwest Nigeria, where Islamic practices are less conservative.

According to local football administrator Ambali Abdulrazak, despite growing interest, female participation remains limited in Ilorin.

The Nigeria Women's Football League (NWFL) ranks among Africa's strongest, dominated by southern clubs from Lagos and Port Harcourt, where infrastructure and social support are more established. Northern and central regions face cultural and religious barriers, though grassroots initiatives are expanding.

Nationwide, women's football is gaining popularity, driven by the national team's success, increased sponsorships, and development programmes. Since 2020, NWFL viewership has increased by 40 percent, with match attendance rising 35 percent in 2024, according to Nigerian media company iTelemedia, which monitors audience trends across local leagues.

During a recent training session, Muhammed and her teammates practised on a sandy school pitch as the sun set, their voices mingling with the muezzin's call to prayer from a nearby mosque.

On August 29, Muhammed captained the Model Queens in a youth tournament final, which they lost. She high-fived teammates and celebrated as they received runners-up medals, but later cried alone in her room over the defeat.

Her family's support and faith sustain her determination. "I really love this sport. I have a passion for it," she said. "Since my parents support me, there is nothing stopping me. Football is my dream."

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Olatunde Olukoya     ITEM 7     UNILORIN Alumni Association     Yahaya Seriki     TVC Female National Debate     Ashiru     Isiaka Gold     Olatunji Ibrahim     Ibrahim Abdullahi     Idofin     Abubakar Kawu Baraje     Shehu Alimi Foundation For Peace And Development     Admiralty Villa     ASUU     Bola Iyabo Ibiyeye Adisa     Oyun     Oke Sunna     Rebecca Bake     Abiodun Jacob Ajiboye     Gbadeyan Gbadura Yomi     Hussein Olokooba     Alfa Modibbo Belgore     Kwabes     Ambassador Kayode Laro     Dele Momodu     Ilorin Innovation Hub     Oke-Odo     Kwara State Governor     New Model Police Station     Raymond Olaitan     Kwara Poly     Jaiz Bank     Damilola Yusuf     Hakeem Idris     Sheikh Hamzat Yusuf Ariyibi     Gbenga Olawepo     Okala Baba     AbdulRahman Saad     Surajudeen Akanbi     Halidu Danbaba     Kwara Restoration Project     Orisa Bridge     Noah Yusuf     Alimi     V.O. Abioye     Obayomi Azeez     Gobir     Kwara Hotel     Lafiagi     Ilorin     Maigidasanma     Kwasu     Lawal Arinola Kudirat     Kwara Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations     Aliyu Adebayo     Sarah Alade     Ballah     Basit Olatunji     Shururat Olatinwo     Olabode Towoju     Binta Abubakar Mora     Standard Organization Of Nigeria     Ajase-Ipo     Ajia-Bako     NURTW     Balogun Gambari     Aliyu Sabi     Mohammed Haruna     Oba Abu     Durosinlohun Atiku     Mutawalle     Segun Ogunsola     Ilorin Durbar     Kola Olota     Ayinde Oyepitan     Simeon Sayomi     Bamikole Omishore    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

TIC     Ilorin Metro Park     Ahmad Lawan     Bello Abubakar     Niguel Gallando Marcias     Guber Aspirant     Ibikunle Ogunleye     Isiaq Khadeejah     Yahaya Jibril Usman     Umar Adelodun     Kemi Adeosun     Sai Kayi     Ishola Balogun Fulani     Mope Dasuki Belgore     Abdulwahab Ololele     Suleiman Mora Omar     Kayode Ibrahim     Salaudeen Oyewale     Afolabi-Oshatimehin     Olayinka Jelili Yusuf     Harrison Osauwagboe     Curfew     Ilorin     Olatunji Ayeni     Oniyangi     Yakub Ali-Agan     Quareeb Islamic Association     Majlis For Sadaqah, Zakat And Waqf     Jimoh Bashir     Sheriff Shagaya     Sa\'adu Gambari     Emir Of Ilorin     Valsolar-Kwara Company Limited     Sarafadeen Kayode Akorede     Turaki Of Ilorin     Sulyman Atolagbe Alege     Abdulwahab Olarewaju Issa     Kwara University Of Education     Oluwatoyin Lukman     Titus Suberu-Ajibola     Shururat Olatinwo     Erin-ile     Ilorin International Airport     Ishola Abdullahi     Bola Tinubu     Asiwaju Bola Tinubu     George Funsho Adebayo     Ibrahim Jawondo     Ganiyu Taofiq     Yahaya Muhammad     Binta Sulyman     Abdulraheem Olesin     Kwara State Health Insurance Agency     Umar Yakubu Jaja     UTME     Amuda Bembe     Photo News     Umar Danladi Shero     Isiaka Rafiu Mope     Abiodun Jacob Ajiboye     Sherif Shagaya     Kehinde Baale     11th Galadima     Yusuf Mubarak     Sola Saraki Educational Foundation     Abdullahi Samari     Ganmo     Amuda Musbau     Abdul Jimoh Mohammed     Funmi Salau     V.O. Abioye     UNIFEMGA     Crystal Corner Shops     Onilorin     Babaloja-General     Kwara State Fire Service     Okasanmi Ajayi