When Esther Okoronkwo was five years old, she wasn't dreaming of World Cups or championship trophies. She was just trying to keep up with her older brother and his friends in the streets of Abia, Nigeria, begging him for a spot in their games, often ending in tears when she was left out.

What started as a backyard rivalry between siblings quickly became a passion that Okoronkwo couldn't shake. So much so, it would carry her from the neighbourhood pitch to the biggest international stage.

At the time, women's soccer did not look like a career that would provide financial stability to Okoronkwo, nor did she see a path to make it more than an after school kick-around.

"I didn't think I'd go professional," the 26-year old player told CBC Sports in an exclusive interview. "Back then, women's

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