Razeen Gutta
Zambia goalkeeper Hazel Nali fought the odds to play football, but now she has inspired a generation of women.
Nali, who got into trouble for playing football as a child, fought with her parents who didn’t want her to focus on her studies rather than sport.
“I really had so much trouble that I had to change where I would stay. I went for a holiday at my grandma’s place. I really cried because I wanted to stay there and enjoy my sports career,” Nali told BBC Sport Africa.
“I did that. My grandmother encouraged me. She told me to focus on school but also to play football.”
Her late grandmother also played sports which inspired Nali.
“She played netball. I began playing football and from that time, it has been my favourite sport,” she said.
Nali started her career with the Zambia under-17s playing club football in Turkey and now she has reached the ultimate goal, to play in the Fifa World Cup.
She was the heroine in last week’s encounter with Senegal scoring the winner from the penalty spot just moments after making a crucial save.
Nali said her parents are on her side now.
“I think the moment I started being named in the national team my parents stood up for me and began supporting me. My mom is now my biggest fan,” she said.
Image source: @ZambianSoccerUpdates
