In a region where women in football remain rare, Kano-based coach Hidaya Ahmad has emerged as a trailblazer.
As the first female football coach in the state, she has revealed her plans to establish an all-women football club, a move she says will encourage more girls to pursue their sporting ambitions without fear or barriers.
Hidaya, who already made history by founding the first female-led football academy in Kano, believes the project will provide girls with a platform to showcase their talents and aspire to international levels.
“This initiative will give female players in Kano the chance to display their skills and progress to greater heights, including opportunities abroad,” she told Iconic Times24 in an exclusive interview.
She explained that the journey has not been easy, but her determination remains unshaken.
“Despite being a woman, I get a lot of support. The players I coach respect me, and that gives me courage to continue,” she said.
Major challenges
According to Hidaya, infrastructure and funding are the two biggest obstacles to her work.
“Our main challenge is the training pitch. Right now, we use a small field, which limits the number of players. We hope to get a bigger space to accommodate different age categories. Another challenge is funding, as I bear all the financial costs of running the academy. Still, I see the bright side because I believe the future will be rewarding,” she explained.
Her efforts, however, are already paying off. Within just one year, her players have recorded significant progress both mentally and physically.
“We have competed in four tournaments: we won two, lost one in the final, and we are currently in another final. That gives us hope and motivation,” she said.
Hidaya stressed that her academy also ensures the girls pursue their education while building sporting careers.
She said this is part of her vision to raise players who will be self-reliant in the future.
The coach, who began her journey barely a year ago, has ambitious plans for the near future.
“I have big dreams I want to achieve soon. Establishing a women-only football club in Kano is one of them,” she disclosed.
She also urged women across the state to step forward and embrace their talents in sports.
“I call on women to come out and show the gifts God has given them. Football is not just for men. We too can play and excel,” she said with conviction.
With her pioneering role and determination, Hidaya Ahmad is not only rewriting the narrative of women’s football in Kano but also inspiring a new generation of female athletes in northern Nigeria.
