Nigeria’s legendary defender Onome Ebi has called time on her glittering career, ending a remarkable 24-year journey that cemented her place as one of Africa’s all-time greats.
Onome Ebi, 42, confirmed her retirement on Wednesday, September 17, in an emotional statement shared across her social media pages.
“Today, I officially retire from professional football,” she wrote. “The journey has been filled with challenges, victories, and lessons that shaped me into who I am today.”
Ebi’s career is defined by milestones that few players can match. She became the first African footballer, male or female, to feature in six FIFA World Cup tournaments, representing the Super Falcons in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023.
With over 100 international caps and four goals to her name, she was also a key part of Nigeria’s dominance on the continent, helping the Falcons secure four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles in 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018.
At the club level, Ebi’s career stretched across Europe, Asia, and Africa. She turned out for Swedish sides Piteå and Djurgården, Turkish champions Ataşehir Belediyespor, Belarusian giants FC Minsk, Chinese outfit Henan Jianye, and finally Naija Ratels in Nigeria. Her honours include two Turkish league titles, one Belarusian Premier League crown, and three domestic cups in Belarus.
Beyond silverware, her personal recognition speaks volumes. She was named in the IFFHS CAF Women’s Team of the Decade (2011-2020) and later in the IFFHS All-time Africa Women’s Dream Team in 2021.
Her final chapter came at Naija Ratels during the 2023-2024 Nigeria Women’s Football League season. Explaining her decision to return home despite offers abroad, she said at the time that she was drawn by the club’s “youthful profile, discipline, and organisation.”
Now stepping into retirement, Ebi says her mission is far from over. “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 added.
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