Brentford’s women’s team boasts an exciting young talent in 17 year old English-Nigerian starlet Habeebat Gbajabiamila. Eligible to represent Nigeria through her parents, Habeebat is already making waves in the London and South East Women’s Regional Football League. Her football journey began at just seven years old with FC Jéan Té Lé, followed by seven years of development at Crystal Palace’s academy before her breakthrough into Brentford’s Women’s First Team.
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Known for her electric pace and direct playing style, Habeebat stands at 160 cm but proves that size is no barrier to talent. Her debut for Brentford was marked by an impressive performance, where she scored and assisted goals during a tour match. Her inclusion in matchday squads has added to her early accomplishments.
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Despite her eligibility for England’s youth teams, she has not featured for them, leaving the door open for a potential call up to Nigeria’s U20 team, the Falconets, or the senior national team, the Super Falcons. With the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup approaching, she could be a valuable addition if selected. For now, her focus remains on growth and excelling at Brentford.
Editorial
Habeebat Gbajabiamila’s rise is an encouraging story of talent nurtured through hard work, strategic development, and opportunity. Her journey exemplifies how investing in youth football can yield promising talents with international potential. Nigeria’s football handlers must not overlook prospects like Habeebat, whose dual eligibility presents an opportunity to secure her services for the Super Falcons before other nations take notice.
Her speed and goal-scoring instincts make her a perfect fit for the modern game, where versatility and dynamism are highly valued. Nigeria should act now, ensuring her inclusion in age-grade competitions like the U20 Women’s World Cup, as this exposure could be critical to her international development.
However, beyond this individual case, Nigeria’s football federation should proactively identify and nurture dual-nationality players. The globalised nature of modern football means that talent scouting and are no longer optional they’re necessary to stay competitive. Habeebat’s story should be a call to action for a more structured approach to youth development and international recruitment.
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As she continues to evolve, we hope to see her wearing the green jersey of Nigeria, helping to shape the next generation of women’s football. The time to secure her talent is now.
Did You Know?
The Super Falcons have won a record 11 African Women’s Championship titles.
Brentford FC was originally founded in 1889, with their women’s team gaining prominence in recent years.
Crystal Palace’s women’s academy is known for producing several young stars who progress to professional football.
Nigeria’s U20 women’s team, the Falconets, reached the final of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup twice in 2010 and 2014.
Dual-nationality players have historically played crucial roles for Nigeria, with notable examples including Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi.