'I had to strip naked to prove I was a woman' - Genoveva Anonma's shocking ordeal

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Women's football star Genoveva Anonma has told the BBC of her degrading ordeal.

Genoveva Anonma (Getty)

Sport can, at times, disappoint you in the way that certain individuals are treated as they strive to reach the top and achieve their dreams.
Sadly, women's football star Genoveva Anonma has an appalling story to tell of the way she was treated as a developing player in the game.

The Equatorial Guinea striker, who currently plays for German side Turbine Potsdam, is considered one of the best players in African women's football.
But she has told the BBC about the shocking way she has been treated in the game in a heartbreaking interview.
It all came following her outstanding performance for her country at the 2008 African Women's Championship when she scored the winning goal against Nigeria to secure the title.
After accusations from rival teams of her being a man, the Confederation of African Football subjected her to a humiliating situation.
"They asked me to take all my clothes off in front of officials from CAF and the Equatorial Guinea team," she told the BBC in their interview with her.
"I was really upset, my morale was low and I was crying. It was totally humiliating, but over time I have got over it."
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Genoveva Anonma (Getty)

However, the issues would not go away. After the 2010 African Championship, Nigeria, along with South Africa and Ghana, accused Guinea of having three men in their team: sisters Salimata and Bilguisa Simpore, as well as her.
"You only need to have physical contact with them on the pitch to know this [that they are men]," said Ghana defender Diana Amkomah at the time.
Anonma was forced to refute the allegations. "These accusations come because I am fast and strong, but I know that I am definitely a woman.
"I was hoping they would call me to tell me they were taking me to hospital to do tests, but they never did. They did nothing to me. It was just down to me alone to defend myself, to state that I am not a man, I am a woman."

According to the BBC's feature piece, Anonma's biggest frustration remains that she has never been permitted to undergo medical gender testing to silencing her doubters.

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