Halimatu Ayinde

Halimatu Ibrahim Ayinde OON (born 16 May 1995) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Rosengård and the Nigeria women's national team. She previously played for Western New York Flash in the United States, Delta Queens in Nigeria and Eskilstuna United in Sweden. Quotes We are back as the giant of Africa. Every coach has their style. I always try to give my best and adapt to whatever pattern the coaches bring. With the experience I have, I try to help the younger players settle and excel. Growing up in northern Nigeria is not that easy because they don’t believe that a girl child should play football. From my family, my parents were supportive, but my brothers didn’t want me to play. I was stubborn and didn’t listen. Sometimes I would sneak out to play with boys and they would beat me when I returned. Eventually, they gave up and started supporting me. I try to promote grassroots football in the North. I’m getting support from the state government, and it’s helping young girls who want to play professionally and pursue their dreams. I always try to mentor young players with the little knowledge I have. I talk to them during training and matches. I think they appreciate it—it’s up to them to use what I tell them. Halimatu Ayinde: From Northern Nigeria’s Streets to anchoring Super Falcons’ Mission X quest CAF Online (25 July 2025) I grew up in the midst of men six boys and two girls, and all my play mates were boys, everything about my growing was with boys, always playing street football with them. HALIMATU AYINDE: How football took me from street to Sweden The Nation (25 April 2021) External links Category:Living people Category:Women in sports Category:Women born in the 1990s Category:1995 births Category:Soccer players from Nigeria Category:Women from Nigeria