Super Falcons legend, Onome Ebi, has officially retired from professional football, ending a remarkable 24-year career that cemented her place as one of Africa’s most accomplished players.
The 42-year-old defender announced the decision on Tuesday through a heartfelt statement shared on her social media pages, closing the chapter on a journey that began in 2001 with Omidiran Babes and took her across clubs in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
“Today, I officially retire from professional football,” Ebi wrote.
“The journey has been filled with challenges, victories, and lessons that shaped me into who I am today.”
Ebi made history as the first African footballer, male or female, to compete in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments, representing Nigeria in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023.
Over the course of her international career, she earned more than 100 caps, scored four goals, and lifted the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations trophy on four occasions (2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018).
At club level, the veteran defender had spells with Piteå and Djurgården in Sweden, Ataşehir Belediyespor in Turkey, FC Minsk in Belarus, Henan Jianye in China, and most recently Naija Ratels in Nigeria.
Her silverware collection includes two Turkish league titles, a Belarusian league crown, and three Belarusian domestic cups.
Individually, her brilliance was recognised by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics, who named her in the CAF Women’s Team of the Decade (2011–2020) and later in the all-time Africa Women’s Dream Team (2021).
Ebi’s final run came with Naija Ratels during the 2023–24 Nigeria Women’s Football League season.
She turned down offers from abroad to return home, explaining that the Abuja-based club appealed to her because of its youth-driven structure, discipline, and professionalism.
A true pioneer of the women’s game, Ebi now shifts her energy towards mentoring and advocacy, with a focus on supporting younger generations of players.
“Though I hang up my boots, my purpose in the game continues, to give back, to guide, and to be a voice for players,” she stated.
