After more than 20 years in football, former Super Falcons captain and defender Onome Ebi has announced her retirement from professional football.
In a statement on her official social media page, Ebi said:
“Today, I officially retire from professional football. The journey has been full of challenges, victories, and lessons that shaped me into who I am. Though I hang up my boots, my purpose in the game continues — to give back, to guide, and to be a voice for players across Africa and beyond. Thank you.”
The 43-year-old began her career in 2001 with Omidiran Babes before moving to Bayelsa Queens. She later joined Swedish side Pitéa IF, starting her European career.
Ebi made her Super Falcons debut in 2003 and went on to become Nigeria’s most-capped player with 109 appearances. She helped Nigeria dominate African women’s football, winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations four times (2010, 2014, 2016, 2018).
On 6 July 2019, she became the first African footballer to play in five FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019). She extended that record by joining the squad for the 2023 Women’s World Cup at the age of 40 years and 50 days.
After 13 years abroad, she returned to Nigeria in 2023 to play for Naija Ratels in the Women’s Football League, where she ended her remarkable career.
Ebi has hinted that her post-retirement plans include player management, as she now hopes to inspire the younger generation and be a strong voice for female footballers.