What’s in a name?
As the Lionesses line up for their first home international of the year against Hong Kong, China, this Sunday (15 June), captain Rosnani Azman will lead the team out at Choa Chu Kang Stadium wearing her late father’s name, Azman, on her national team jersey for the very first time.
For most players, their own name on the jersey is a point of pride. But Rosnani’s choice to wear her father’s name is a heartfelt tribute as she walks out not only as captain, but as a daughter on Father’s Day.
“I started doing this this year with Albirex, and I really liked it when the referee called me by my dad’s name instead of my own,” she said, her lips forming a soft smile. “It makes me feel like he always has my back, and motivates me to do my best.”
That motivation carries a heavy memory on its back – the sudden death of her father in August 2023.
“He passed away suddenly due to a heart attack while he was on a holiday in Kuala Lumpur with my sister, and I received the news around 11pm. It was chaotic as everyone was scrambling to figure things out,” she recounted.
“My family had actually just got back home, but we rushed to fly to KL to bring his body back.”
Having returned to Singapore just seven months prior after three years playing in Japan, Nani was grateful for the brief time she shared with her father before his passing. Together, they celebrated Hari Raya, her birthday, and watched her play in Women’s Premier League matches with her former club, Hougang United.
He was also there to witness a milestone: her first time captaining the Lionesses in a friendly against Pakistan at Jalan Besar Stadium. Wearing the name Rosnani on her shirt then, she led the team to a gritty 1-0 win.
She wishes she had more time with him physically, but even when apart, he always found ways to stay close.
“What I liked about him was that he always made the effort to reach out when I was overseas – every single day,” she recalled.
“He’d text me good morning, good night, ask about training, how the match went, whether everything was okay. Those little things reminded me I always had his support. Even when it was tough out there, I knew if I went back to him, he’d be there with open arms.”
Nearly two years on, she still misses those simple messages: “Yeah, it’s tough now because I don’t have that anymore. My family is always there to support me – but having his support was just very different.”
It is not hard to see why her father’s encouragement meant so much more. As the middle child among five siblings, Rosnani was the only one drawn to football. She often watched matches with her father – a devoted Chelsea fan – listening intently as he patiently explained the game, nurturing her interest.
When 11-year-old Nani asked to attend football trials at her primary school – which was starting a girls-only team for the first time – it was only her father who stood firmly behind her.
“My mother wasn’t very keen on the idea of me playing football because it was seen as a boys-only sport back then, and it’s a game with a lot of physical contact,” said Rosnani.
She fondly remembers how her father reassured her mother and backed her all the way.
“My father told my mum, ‘Trust her and see how it goes. If she’s doing something right, then something good is going to come out of it.’”
And something good certainly did come out of it.
Rosnani became the first Singaporean woman to play professionally in Japan, she pulled on the national jersey 46 times, even scored a goal for Singapore – and the defender is now leader of the Lionesses.
Rosnani’s mother eventually came around, and it meant the world to her.
“To me, it’s a real blessing. No matter where I go, I always know my parents are behind me. Even when the journey gets tough, I know I can always go back to my family and tell them everything – without hiding anything,” said Rosnani.
“And that means everything to me.”
Now, still carrying the belief and unwavering support her late father gave so freely, Rosnani hopes to lead the Lionesses to a spirited showing against a Hong Kong side ranked 59 places above them this Sunday.
Having already played a closed-door friendly against Hong Kong just three days earlier, this upcoming match is crucial preparation for the bigger challenge ahead – the Asian Football Confederation (AFCO Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in Jordan, which the Lionesses will depart for next Friday.
“Hong Kong is definitely a tough opponent. Of course, our goal is to put up a strong performance and try to win. We know it won’t be easy but that’s not an excuse. We’ll just keep pushing forward and give it our all,” said Rosnani.
“Playing two games against Hong Kong within a few days will help prepare us mentally and physically. In Jordan, the schedule will be similar – a game, two days’ rest, then the next game, so this is good practice to get used to that routine.
Rosnani in yesterday’s training session at Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
“We know that Hong Kong’s ranking is close to that of strong teams like Jordan and Iran, who are our opponents in the qualifiers, and we expect a good fight, especially playing at home.”
Rosnani is lovingly known as “Nani” to her family and friends, and they will quickly realise that neither of those names appear on her jersey when she leads the Lionesses out at Choa Chu Kang on Father’s Day.
Her jersey will bear the name “Azman” and Nani will smile if the referee calls her by that name, because at that moment she will again feel that he is right there with her, having her back.
