After 22 years of active football, Super Falcons and Nigeria football legend, Onome Ebi, has announced her retirement from professional football at the age of 42.
Ebi, is the oldest serving player in either male or female in Nigeria football history, active since 2003 till 2025.
In a post via her official social media platforms, she said:
“For more than 20 awesome years this is the number 5 jersey has been more than fabric; It’s been a part of my soul. It has carried my blood, sweat, triumphs, heartbreaks, and prayers. It stands with me everytime I defended my country. With so much pride and peace in my heart, I handover to someone incredibly especial -Ashleigh Plumptre.
Ashleigh is not just a rising star – she’s my twin in spirit. Same birthday, May 8th. Same position: Defender. Same fine. Same love for this game. I see her hunger, the same humility, same heart I had when I first wore this jersey. And may be even more.
Number 5 has always been sacred to me- it’s the number of strength, and grace. To see it now in Ashleigh’s back is more than passing a number… It’s passing a torch of purpose.
Ashleigh, wear it with pride, protect it with honour, and play with your whole heart. I trust you with this number on I trust you with my legacy. And I’ll be cheering you and the entire team on E-always.
This is not goodbye.
This is a new chapter..
A new era
A new No.5″.
Ebi, made history as the first African woman to feature in six (6) FIFA Women’s World Cups when she was brought on in later stages of Super Falcons victory over Falcon’s impressive victory over Australia on the 27th July 2023.
She’s also the first African footballer male or female, to play in 6 FIFA World Cup Tournament.
Onome Ebi has won the African Women’s Cup of Nations four (4) times (2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018).
-9News Nigeria.
