Rivers Angels’ newly signed goalkeeper, Fatima Oloko, is on a mission to turn adversity into success, and she’s been trendy on several social media platforms since her arrival to the Garden City.
Despite facing initial rejection from her family, her resilience and determination, fuelled by the encouragement of her late brother, have led her to the professional ranks of the NWFL.
Now part of Rivers Angels’ revamped squad for the 2025 season, Oloko is ready to show the world her passion and skills on the field.
A challenging journey to football glory
Oloko’s football journey didn’t come easy. In a recent interview with the club’s media, she shared how her family’s reluctance to support her football aspirations initially made her path more difficult.
As a female child, the expectation was for her to prioritise education, not sports.
However, it was her late brother who stood by her, becoming her biggest supporter. His words of encouragement—“I’m your biggest fan; go for it”—motivated her to continue pursuing her dream against all odds.
“At first, they never supported me; none of my family members wished for me to go into football. Because as a female child, they believe education is everything. Going into football was not the plan; I wasn’t supported by any member of my family. It was a tough one. But my late brother stood by me,” she said.
Reflecting on what inspired her to pursue football, Oloko recounted meeting a man named Jimmy in 2016 at an aerobics session at the national stadium in Lagos.
She expressed her long-held passion for football, which had started in secondary school but lacked guidance.
Jimmy took her under his wing, introducing her to Emmanuel Osabo Orubosa in 2017, who recognised her potential.
Oloko credits Orubosa’s mentorship for helping her develop and reach where she is today.
Fatima Oloko’s dedication to goalkeeping
When asked why she chose goalkeeping, Oloko explained that it was the only position that truly brought her peace.
Regardless of the challenges, once she steps into the goalpost, she feels at home. The calmness and focus it provides are what keep her passionate about the role.
“Goalkeeping is not just something I woke up one morning and felt like, okay, I want to go into. There are a lot of positions in football; I chose goalkeeping because that’s the only thing I feel at peace doing,” she noted.
Despite the obstacles, Oloko refused to give up. She shared the emotional toll the loss of her brother had on her, as well as the self-doubt she often experienced, especially after making mistakes as a goalkeeper.
At times, she considered walking away from football to focus on her education, questioning her abilities.
However, the desire to succeed kept Fatima Oloko pushing forward.
“It hasn’t been easy; at first I felt like giving up, most especially when I lost my late brother, who was my biggest support. I felt like, “Okay, I’m done; maybe I’m not good enough,” Oloko added.
A promising future with Rivers Angels
Now, as part of the 14 new players announced by Rivers Angels for the 2025 NWFL season, Oloko is optimistic about the team’s future.
Fatima, who revealed how much she loves acting and news broadcasting, emphasised the team’s singular focus on victory.
She revealed the Jewels of Rivers’ commitment to maintaining and even surpassing the high standards set in previous seasons.
“Fans should expect nothing but winning. We are here to win; winning is our aim. We are not here to slack back. We met a standard in the team, and we are not here to take it down. We are bringing it more hot and bright,” Fatima Oloko concluded.
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