Super Falcons striker Ifeoma Onumonu has announced her retirement from professional football at the age of 31, drawing the curtain on an illustrious career at both club and international level.
Onumonu took to Instagram on Saturday to reveal her decision, expressing gratitude for a journey that began when she was just eight years old.
“It is with a heart full of gratitude that I bid farewell to my playing career on the pitch,” she wrote.
“I started playing football when I was eight years old, on a team called the Magic. We played in white, black, and green jerseys at the AYSO fields near my house. I remember how vast I thought the field was… All I wanted to do was run as fast as I could and score.”
Over a career spanning more than two decades, Onumonu represented clubs in the NWSL, where she won a championship, and became a key figure for the Nigerian national team. She featured at the Olympics and the FIFA Women’s World Cup, while also helping the Super Falcons clinch their historic 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.
Reflecting on her achievements, she added
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“Now, 22 years later, I feel I have reached a natural conclusion to that discovery… This is not a goodbye to football, but a new beginning. I am excited to explore opportunities off the pitch.”
Onumonu thanked coaches, teammates, staff, and fans, while stressing that her “love and devotion for the game will never waver.”
Editorial
Ifeoma Onumonu’s retirement marks the end of a significant era for Nigerian women’s football. Beyond her goals, she embodied the discipline, resilience, and humility that every young athlete should aspire to. Her ability to balance success at both club and national level demonstrates the global reach of Nigerian talent.
For the Super Falcons, she was not just a striker but also a symbol of consistency and hard work, contributing to Nigeria’s dominance in Africa while making her mark internationally. As she transitions into life after football, her story remains a reminder that the game is not only about victories on the field but also about the legacy players leave behind.
Did You Know?
- Dual Heritage Onumonu was born in California to Nigerian parents and chose to represent Nigeria at international level.
- NWSL Champion: She won the NWSL Shield and later the Championship trophy, becoming one of the few Nigerians to lift the prestigious U.S. title.
- Olympics & World Cup Onumonu played for Nigeria at both the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (football) and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
- Historic 10th WAFCON Title She was part of the Super Falcons squad that delivered Nigeria’s 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations victory.
- The Magic Beginning Her football journey started at just 8 years old with a local team called The Magic, where she discovered her love for the game.
