Nasarawa Amazons’ star Esther Adesoji was recently named the Best Defender of the NWFL Premiership for the 2023–2024 season.
In addition to this prestigious honour, she was also selected for Team of the Season for her exceptional performance throughout the league.
In an exclusive interview with Footballrover, Adesoji shared her thoughts on the award, her journey, and the inspiration behind her success.
Adesoji credited her coach, Pastor Christopher Danjuma, and teammates for her success, citing their support and teamwork as crucial factors.
Adesoji named Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid and Chelsea Women’s Millie Bright and Jess Carter as her role models, admiring their playing styles.
She hopes to build on her achievement, represent the national team, and play for top-flight European clubs.
Read the full interview below.
Feeling Honoured and Driven
When asked how it felt to be crowned the best defender, Adesoji expressed her gratitude and excitement.
“I feel grateful and honoured to be crowned the NWFL Defender of the Season. It’s my first professional award, so it was a dream come true for me and a first for many more,” she said.
Mindset and Approach
Adesoji revealed that her mindset going into the season was focused on making a name for herself and winning the league trophy with her team.
Despite not achieving the latter, she remains optimistic about lifting the Federation Cup.
Overcoming Challenges
Facing tough opponents is part of the game, and Adesoji singled out NWFL Champions Edo Queens as the most challenging team she encountered during the Super Six. 
“They had sharp and skilled attackers,” she noted, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament.
Team Support and Individual Success
Adesoji attributes much of her success to her team’s support and their style of play.
“The teamwork contributed to my success,” she said, emphasising the collective effort behind her individual accolades.
When asked if there was a particular coach, teammate, or experience that helped shape her playing style, the defender attributed her defensive skills and abilities to her coach, Pastor Christopher Danjuma.
“He has been a great teacher and a father to me in particular. Taking his time to teach me what I needed to know and include in my playing had helped me a whole lot,” she noted.
Inspiration and Role Models
Adesoji looks up to several top-flight players, both locally and internationally.
“I watch Millie Bright and Jess Carter of Chelsea Women FC, as well as Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid. These are the players I look up to because I love their style of play,” she shared.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, the defender is determined to build on her achievements with dedication, hard work, and consistency.
She dreams of reaching the national level and joining top-flight clubs in Europe.
“Every player wants to make it to the national level, as well as top-flight clubs in Europe, and yes, I want and will be one soon,” she affirmed.
Team Coordination
Effective communication and coordination are keys to defensive success. Adesoji explained how she ensures this on the field, stating,
“We communicate in a good and understanding manner, and we communicate with anger when and where it’s needed, just for a good result at the end of the game.”
Reflecting on the Season
Reflecting on the team’s performance in the Super Six tournament, where they finished fourth, Adesoji pointed to late decision-making in front of the goal as a critical area for improvement.
“It was a bit disappointing, and I feel it’s because of our late decision-making in front of goal. There’s always room for improvement anyway,” she said.
Goals for Next Season
As for her goals for next season, Adesoji hopes to lift the league trophy with Nasarawa Amazons if she remains in the country.
Her ambition and drive indicate a promising future, whether she stays in the NWFL or moves to a larger stage.
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