The Girls Of Magic United

Aichatou Alhassane, Niger

Academy Wandiya Football (AWAF) is a football academy based in Niamey, Niger. The academy provides opportunities to play and train for girls in the local area, as well as orphaned and disabled children from Niamey. Wandiya means ‘the girl’ in Zarma, the local language. Aichatou Alhassane has been playing football with AWAF’s Magic United team since 2021 and currently plays for their Under 15s side.

My name is Aichatou Alhassane, I am 14 years old. I was born in Ayerou, 200 km from Niamey, the capital of Niger. After the death of my mother when I was four years old, I was taken to Niamey to live with my grandmother. This is where I discovered the AWAF Magic United football center of coach Tahirou, our coach and founder of the center. Here we train four times per week and I play for the U15 team. 

I joined the center when I was 12. This was possible thanks to my cousin Fati, who was already an AWAF Magic United player. When we met coach Tahirou for the first time, he explained to us that it is free to join his center. And everything was easy for me to be on his team. I continue to play with Fati, but she is not playing as regularly.

What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?

In the photos, you can see my teammates. They are all nice and help me to progress. These photos were taken on our training ground but also during a sports outing organized by the center. 

The photos on the dunes were taken during the celebration of our final victory in the Niamey League tournament, which took place on National Women's Day (May 13). We played against AS Fan, La Police Nationale, Korombé, AS GNN, and Korombé again in the final.

The best photos are where we wear the turban. It represents the cultural identity of Niger. I wanted to show the rare opportunity that these young Nigerien girls have to practice football, in a context of violent extremism, terrorism and conflict in the Sahel. 

What impact has playing football had on you and your community?

Football gave me more friends, but above all, it gave me confidence, patience and the feeling of surpassing myself. And that is what I really needed since the disappearance of my mother.

Football, as in all communities, unites people. It allows you to meet new people. Unfortunately, with us, some consider it just a playful, fun activity.

What are the opportunities for women and girls to play in your community

Opportunities, even if they are rare, are still important. These opportunities lead to better health, networking with new people, a change of mentality, trips, and even national team selection.

Six of my teammates have played in the national teams of Niger - Nana Farida Illa (U20 and Senior national team), Maïmouna Amadou (U20), Aïchatou Timbangou (U20), Mariama Amadou (U15), Malika Moussa (U15), and Bibata Souley (U15).

I hope to be called up for the first time for the U17 selection in February 2024 for the ​​Niger vs Morocco CAF qualifier match.

What does football mean to you? What ambitions do you have for the future?

Football represents my first passion. Today it is an integral part of me. 

I currently study at the Right Bank Secondary Education Complex 1. I want to do higher studies and gain diplomas, but also I would like to become a big star, like Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria), Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto (France), to help my country to be in the concert of nations. Kadidiatou Diani is my role model.

If I had the chance to go to University, I would like to study law, especially law for children and girls. I want to help them. I hope with all my heart to have a professional career in football. If I do not succeed, I will become a police officer to defend children, my fellow citizens, and all of Niger.

What is the future for football in Niger? What would you like to change? 

The future of football in Niger will be bright, because more and more teams are being created for men and women. What I want to change is the perception of football being reserved for men and not for women. Also through this, I want to reduce poverty in my country.