Black queens star Jennifer Cudjoe story: From Ghana to National Women's Soccer League
Jennifer Cudjoe is no longer a new name in the sports sector. She is a Ghanaian professional soccer player currently playing as a midfielder for the Sky Blue Football Club of the National Women's Soccer League, commonly known as the NWSL club.
Source: Instagram
Jennifer Cudjoe joined NWSL with unmatched expertise. This was well-earned after her excellent representation of the Ghana Under-17 and Under-20 Women's World Cups. She has continued to become famous on the pitch and on different social media platforms.
Jennifer Cudjoe's profile summary
- Full name: Jennifer Cudjoe
- Nickname: Jennifer, Cudjoe
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: 7th March 1994
- Birth sign: Pisces
- Place of birth: Takoradi, Ghana
- Age: 27 years (as of 2021)
- Nationality: Ghanaian
- Ethnicity: African
- Eye colour: Brown
- Hair colour: Black
- Weight: 60 kg
- Height: 5 feet 4 inches
- Body type: Athletic
- Sexual orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christianity
- Siblings: Elizabeth Cudjoe
- Relationship status: Single
- Education: Diabene Secondary Technical School, Northeastern State Unversity
- Profession: Professional football player
- Position: Midfielder
- Current club: Sky Blue Football Club
- Jersey number: 6
- Net worth: $150,000
- Jennifer Cudjoe's Instagram: @jennifer_kaka_cudjoe13
Who is Jennifer Cudjoe?
Jennifer is a talented Ghanaian football player. She was born on 7th March 1994 in Takoradi, Ghana. How old is Jennifer Cudjoe? She is 27 years old as of 2021. Unfortunately, she has not offered any information about her parents, such as their names and whereabouts.
The football player was raised alongside her elder sister, Elizabeth Cudjoe. After her primary school education, she joined Diabene Secondary Technical School. She gained interest in playing football from a very young age. She followed in her sister's footsteps as she is a football player too.
Jennifer Cudjoe's career journey
Source: Getty Images
Jennifer started playing football in Ghana. However, she always hoped to attain more exposure by playing in bigger teams.
I knew at the age of thirteen that I wanted to be a professional player. Growing up in my country, soccer is there, but it's not as organized as a club or like they would do here (in the US). I don't know, it is fun, but also it’s not as competitive as playing club.
Luckily, she had been chosen to play for the Women's Under-20 team scheduled to travel to Japan for the Under-20 World Cup. In addition, her elder sister reached out to several college coaches from the United States.
Moving to the United States
With Cudjoe's outstanding records from the World Cup, she got her much-craved opportunity to begin her professional career in the United States. Initially, she was set to play for a Division II school in Oklahoma, known as the Northeastern States.
Unfortunately, she faced some athletic eligibility problems arising from her international background. As a result, she played at local Junior College Northeastern Oklahoma and A&M. She was set to play for the team until her eligibility was fully sorted out.
Eventually, she decided to lock in and set her mind to play at the college level while pursuing her degree. During her college career, she played for three different teams, namely:
- Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (junior college)
- Northeastern State (Division II)
- The University of Maine at Fort Kent (a small school in Maine)
Even after her graduation, things didn't get any easier, as prospects from the top were still minimal. This was mainly from the fact that NWSL coaches rarely looked for players in the lower collegiate divisions.
Still aiming at the prize, she started designing her training sessions. This came in handy in challenging and stimulating her intensity to play at the professional levels.
During summer 2018, she learned of a new semi-pro team, Asheville City SC (WPSL), under formation in Asheville, North Carolina. After undertaking two successful seasons with the team, she had established herself as an essential part of the Asheville midfield. She earned the NJCAA Player of the Year award in 2014 with WPSL side Asheville City SC.
Life-changing match
Source: Getty Images
While still playing with the Asheville, she got the opportunity to attend the 2019 NWSL final between the North Carolina Courage and Chicago Red Stars. Again, the experience acted as a justification that she was on the right track.
After the game, she set out on a mission to get reorganization by NWSL coaches. Later, she attended an open tryout for Sky Blue, where she was one of the few selected to attend preseason training. In 2015, she joined the Northeastern State River-Hawks, where she scored eight goals.
In 2020, the NWSL player Jennifer Cudjoe moved to an American professional soccer club known as the Chattanooga Red Wolves Soccer Club. Later, she became part of Freya Coombe's team on a 60month deal from Women’s Premier Soccer League side Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves.
Later in 2020, she signed a short-term deal with Sky Blue FC for the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup. She made her NWSL debut on 30th June 2020. On 23rd July 2020, she poised ahead of the Chicago Red Star clash during the semifinals of the Utah 2020 Challenge Cup. During the match, she completed 128 passes with an 80.5% completion rate.
After her performance in the Challenge Cup, she signed a multi-year deal with Sky Blue. She went on to start three matches during the Fall Series. In her three games, she had an 80% success rate on her tackles and completed over 76% of her passes from the midfield.
She was chosen in the 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft by Racing Louisville Football Club. However, after Jennifer Cudjoe's trade to Louisville, she was quickly picked back by the Sky Blue Football club during the 2021 draft day.
Jennifer Cudjoe came to the United States for educational purposes and, in all respects, has got far more than she bargained for. Throughout her successful football career, she has amassed great praises from her fans across the globe.
Yen.com.gh published an interesting piece about Eduardo Tamayo. Eduardo is an American born businessman. He is famous for being the ex-husband of the military veteran and democratic leader, Tulsi Gabbard. Tulsi is currently the US representative for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district.
There are many reasons why different people gain fame and recognition in the media. Some are successful business people, while others have achieved significant milestones in their careers. Eduardo rose to fame after tying the knot with the legendary politician, Tulsi Gabbard.
Source: YEN.com.gh
