Nigerian defender Faith Ikidi Micheal (middle) in action for Pitea
Photo: sverigesradio.se

Nigerians dominate the small contigent of African female footballers who ply their trade in Sweden’s top women league, Damallsvenskan.

Damallsvenskan’s best defender in 2015 Faith Ikidi Michael is in her eighth season at league leaders Pitea while her Nigerian compatriots Rita Chikwelu, who has scored twice in the 12-week-old league, and Ogonna Chukwudi don the colors of Kristianstad.

Both midfielders are in their second season at Kristianstad and are regulars in the 4th-placed team.

Other Nigerians in the top flight are defender Osinachi Ohale of Vaxjo, midfielder Ngozi Okobi of Eskilstuna, Kalmar defender Ifeoma Dieke ( who plays as a Scot) and youngster Evelyn Ijeh at Kopparbergs/Goteberg.

16-year-old Ijeh, who also holds Swedish citizenship, is the daughter of former star Peter Ijeh, Sweden’s top goalscoerer in 2002. She is in her debut season.

The other Africans are the two Ghanaians at Djurgarden. Midfielder Portia
Boakye, 29, and striker Sherifatu Sumaila, who is 21, are in their first season at the club.