Super Falcons legend Onome Ebi has officially announced her retirement from football at the age of 42, bringing an illustrious 24-year career to a close.
The veteran defender shared the news on her Instagram page on Wednesday, reflecting on a journey she described as one filled with challenges, victories, and invaluable lessons.
“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 across Africa and beyond,” Ebi wrote.
Ebi, a true icon of Nigerian women’s football, began her professional career with Omidiran Babes in 2001, where she played until 2008 before moving to Bayelsa United. In 2009, she ventured abroad, starting her European journey with Swedish side Piteå IF, before joining Djurgårdens IF in 2010.
Her career then took her to Turkey with Lüleburgaz 39 Spor and Ataşehir Belediyespor, before returning to Sweden in 2013 to sign for Sunnanå SK. She later moved to Belarusian giants FC Minsk, followed by a three-season stint in China with Henan Jianye W.F.C. from 2017 to 2020.
In 2021, she rejoined FC Minsk, and in 2022, signed with Spanish club FC Badalona Women. Ebi eventually returned home to the Nigeria Women’s Football League, where she played until her retirement.
On the international stage, Ebi was a stalwart for the Super Falcons, making her debut in 2003. She went on to earn 106 caps, featuring in six FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments between 2003 and 2023, and represented Nigeria at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
She also featured in six editions of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), lifting the trophy on four occasions, cementing her legacy as one of Africa’s greatest female footballers.
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