Onome Ebi, the iconic Nigerian footballer and former Super Falcons captain, announced her retirement from professional football on September 17, 2025, via her official X account. In her heartfelt post, 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.” This announcement marks the end of an illustrious 24-year career, during which the 42-year-old defender became the first African footballer, male or female, to compete in six FIFA Women’s World Cups (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023). Ebi also won four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles and played for clubs like Bayelsa Queens, Naija Ratels, and Abia Angels in Nigeria, as well as teams in Turkey, China, Belarus, and Spain.

Her retirement has sparked an outpouring of tributes on X, with fans and sports outlets like ESPN and BBC Sport Africa celebrating her as a trailblazer for African women’s football. Ebi has expressed her intent to remain involved in the sport, focusing on mentoring young players and advocating for the growth of women’s football in Nigeria and beyond.