Onome Ebi, captain of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, has officially retired from professional football, bringing an end to a decorated career spanning two decades with the women’s national team. She announced her decision via a post on her X (formerly Twitter) account.
At 42, Ebi holds the record for the most caps by any Nigerian female player (109), and is the first African — male or female — to feature in six FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023).
Her honors include four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles (2010, 2014, 2016, 2018) and distinguished club achievements across Europe, Asia, and at home in Nigeria.
Teammates and supporters, including Rasheedat Ajibade, lauded Ebi as a trailblazer whose leadership, resilience, and mentorship inspired a generation of players. The Falcons released a statement praising her guidance on and off the pitch, especially her ability to carry Nigerian football to global stages.
Ebi said in her statement: “Though I hang up my boots, my purpose in the game continues — to give back, to guide, and to be a voice for players.”
