Deborah Abiodun

Deborah Ajibola Abiodun OON, 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, and the Nigeria national team. She played college soccer for the Pittsburgh Panthers, earning All-ACC honors twice.

Early life and college career

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 and scored 6 goals with 3 assists, earning Atlantic Coast Conference 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. In her sophomore season, she played only 12 games as she missed six games due to injury. She scored 4 goals and earned second-team All-ACC honors.

The Washington Spirit announced on January 6, 2025, that they had signed Abiodun to a three-year contract with an option to extend for an additional year. On February 7, 2025, the Spirit announced that Abiodun and teammate Tamara Bolt would be loaned for the year to USL Super League team Dallas Trinity FC for an undisclosed fee. Washington recalled Abiodun from her loan on August 26, 2025.
On August 31, 2025, Abiodun made her NWSL debut, participating in a 1–1 draw with Chicago Stars FC as a second-half substitute. Three days later, she scored her first goal for the Spirit, converting a deflected shot in a CONCACAF W Champions Cup match against the Vancouver Rise Academy.

Abiodun represented Nigeria at the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, starting three games. Nigeria won their group but lost 2–0 to the Netherlands in the quarterfinals on August 22. Abiodun received her first senior call-up the following month. She made her senior international debut on September 3, 2022, starting in a 4–0 friendly loss to the United States.
Abiodun was selected to Nigeria's roster for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. She made her tournament debut against Canada on 21 July 2023. She was handed a red card during stoppage time after a VAR review as Nigeria held on to a 0–0 draw.
Abiodun started all 3 games for Nigeria at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Nigeria lost each game and finished bottom of their group.

Nigeria

National Honour
Officer of the Order of the Niger