Nigeria’s Onome Ebi has announced her retirement from professional football, bringing to an end a 24-year career that made her one of Africa’s most decorated players.
The 42-year-old defender confirmed the decision in a statement on her social media platforms on Tuesday, drawing the curtain on a journey that began with Omidiran Babes in 2001 and spanned over a dozen clubs across 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 holds the distinction of being the first African footballer, male or female, to feature in six FIFA World Cup tournaments, appearing in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023.
She earned over 100 caps and scored four goals for the Super Falcons, winning four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles in 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018.
At club level, she played for sides including 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 honours include two Turkish league titles, a Belarusian Premier League crown, and three domestic cups in Belarus.
Ebi also received individual recognition, being named in the IFFHS CAF Women’s Team of the Decade for 2011–2020 and later in the organisation’s all-time Africa Women’s Dream Team in 2021.
Her final stint came with Naija Ratels during the 2023–24 Nigeria Women’s Football League season, where she chose to return to domestic football despite receiving offers abroad. She said at the time that she deliberately picked the Abuja-based club because of its youthful profile, discipline, and organisation.
Widely regarded as a trailblazer and role model, Ebi now turns her focus to mentoring and advocacy. She said her aim is to continue influencing the game even after her playing career has ended.
‘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 concluded.
