Deborah Abiodun

About

Deborah Ajibola Abiodun OON (born 2 November 2003), popularly known as “Kante”, is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), and the Nigeria national team. She played college soccer for the Pittsburgh Panthers, earning All-ACC honors twice.

Abiodun was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, and attended Nasarawa State Sport Academy. Her play with Nigeria Women Premier League club Rivers Angels caught the attention of scouts, which led to a full scholarship offer from the University of Pittsburgh.

Abiodun spent two seasons with the Pittsburgh Panthers under the coaching of Randy Waldrum, also her coach with the Nigeria national team. In her freshman season, she made 22 appearances (19 starts) and scored 6 goals with 3 assists, earning Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) all-freshman and third-team All-ACC honors. In the NCAA tournament, she scored two times, in a 6–0 win against Ohio State in the first round and opening a 3–0 win against Memphis in the third round, as Pittsburgh made the national quarterfinals for the first time in program history…