Nigerian football icon Onome Ebi has announced her retirement from professional football at the age of 42, drawing the curtain on a storied career that spanned nearly a quarter of a century.
Ebi, widely hailed as one of Africa’s greatest defenders, leaves the game as the most capped player in Super Falcons history and the first African footballer to feature in six FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments.
Her career began in 2001 and has taken her across Nigeria, Europe, and Asia, with spells in Spain, Turkey, Belarus, and China, alongside her remarkable consistency in Nigeria’s national team.
Ebi represented the Super Falcons in multiple Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) tournaments, winning four titles and cementing her status as a cornerstone of Nigerian women’s football.
Tributes have poured in from across the football world, with fans and teammates praising her leadership, resilience, and longevity. Nigerian football officials hailed her as “an icon who defined an era” and a role model for future generations.
Reflecting on her journey, Ebi said she was grateful to have represented her country for over two decades: “It’s been an honour to wear the green and white. I gave everything for Nigeria, and I hope I’ve inspired the next generation to dream bigger.”
Her retirement marks the end of an era for the Super Falcons, but her legacy will continue to inspire young girls in Nigeria and across Africa who dream of football greatness.
