Emem Essien
FullnameEmem Peace Essien
Birth date28 August 2001 (age 24)
Birth placeNigeria
PositionForward
CurrentclubKickstart FC
Clubnumber11
Clubs 1Ibom Angels
Clubs 2Sunshine Queens
Clubs 3Bayelsa Queens
Years 42021–2025
Clubs 4Edo Queens
Years 52025–
Clubs 5Kickstart FC
Nationalyears 12025
Nationalteam 1Nigeria
Nationalgoals 10
Pcupdate30 March 2026
Ntupdate30 March 2026

Emem Peace Essien (born 28 August 2001) is a Nigerian professional women's football forward who currently plays for Kickstart FC in the Indian Women's League.[1]

Club career

After playing for clubs like Ibom Angels, Sunshine Queens and Bayelsa Queens, Emem Essien joined Edo Queens in 2021.[2][3] She was crucial to Edo Queens performance in the 2023–24 which saw them win the league and qualify for the CAF Champions League for the first time.[4] During that season, she scored 6 goals and was voted the season's Most Valuable Player.[5]

At the qualifiers for the 2024 CAF Champions League, she finished as the top scorer with 6 goals.[6] She further scored three goals at the main tournament; scoring at the group stage in wins over Ethiopian outfits CBE and Mamelodi Sundowns,[7][8] where she won the Woman of the Match award the only goal in a loss against TP Mazembe in the semifinal.[9][2] Her performance that year made her get nominated for the 2024 CAF Interclub Player of the Year.[10]

The following season, she scored 7 goals in the 2024–25 NWFL, finishing as one of the top scorers.[11][5]

In 2025, she joined Indian club Kickstart FC after a short stint with Bayelsa Queens.[12]

National team career

In May 2025, she was called up for the Nigeria national football team in friendlies against Cameroon.[13][14]

Personal life

She comes from a family of nine children. She has declared her father to be her mentor.[1][2]

Honours

References

  1. ^ "Emem Essien: A journey from street football to continental glory". CAF. 21 November 2024.
  2. ^ "My dream is to help Nigeria win World Cup - Emem Essien". Punch Newspapers. 16 May 2025.
  3. ^ "Flying Officers Cup 2021: Emem Essien lifts Edo Queens past Confluence Queens into final". Sports247. 23 October 2023.
  4. ^ "NWFL Playoffs: Edo Queens win first-ever league title". Premium Times Nigeria. 26 May 2024.
  5. ^ ""No room for complacency" - Emem Essien leads Edo Queens with steely resolve". Sports247. 9 May 2025.
  6. ^ "CAFWCL: Emem Essien eye top finish with Edo Queens". Nigeria Soccer Net. 17 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Dominant Edo Queens victorious over CBE with commanding win". CAF. 10 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Emem Essien bags Woman of the Match award after epic performance". Naija Feminists Media. 19 November 2024.
  9. ^ "TP Mazembe deny Edo Queens historic CAF Women's Champions League final". Premium Times Nigeria. 19 November 2024.
  10. ^ "Edo Queens' Essien, Oyono Nominated for CAF Interclub". First Daily News. 21 November 2024.
  11. ^ "NWFL Super Six: Emem Essien and other top stars to watch out for". Pulse Sports. 9 May 2025.
  12. ^ "Emem hat-trick powers Kickstart to victory over Sesa". Indian Football League. 9 January 2026.
  13. ^ "Ememe Essie ready for Cameroon friendly". Pan Africa Football. 31 March 2025.
  14. ^ "Falcons to face Cameroon in Ikenne, Abeokuta". The Punch. 13 May 2025.