Nigeria’s iconic defender Onome Ebi has officially drawn the curtain on her glittering football career.
Ebi, a cornerstone of the Super Falcons for more than two decades, enjoyed a remarkable 22-year journey with the national team after making her debut on September 20, 2003.
At 42, she departs as Nigeria’s longest-serving footballer — male or female — and the first African player, of either gender, to appear in six FIFA World Cups.
Across her illustrious career, Ebi helped the Super Falcons lift the African Women’s Cup of Nations in 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018. She also etched her name in history as the first African woman to feature in six FIFA Women’s World Cups, with her final appearance coming as a late substitute in Nigeria’s stunning victory over Australia on July 27, 2023.
Announcing her retirement on social media, she wrote:
“Today, I officially retire from professional football. The journey has been filled with challenges, victories, and lessons that shaped me into who I am today. Though I hang up my boots, my purpose in the game continues — to give back, to guide, and to be a voice for players.”
Ebi leaves behind an enduring legacy, inspiring generations of African footballers with her leadership, resilience, and record-breaking achievements.
