Super Falcons forward, Ifeoma Onumonu has announced her retirement from professional football, concluding a career that spanned more than a decade across the United States, France, and Nigeria.
The 31-year-old shared the news in a statement on Instagram in the early hours of Saturday, October 4, expressing deep gratitude for her journey and calling her retirement a “natural conclusion” to a lifelong discovery that began at the age of eight.
“It is with a heart full of gratitude that I bid farewell to my playing career on the pitch,” Onumonu wrote.
She reflected on her earliest memories playing with a youth team called Magic in the United States, recalling the joy of simply being on the field: “All I wanted to do was run as fast as I could and score. I didn’t much care about winning or losing; I just loved playing.”
Onumonu noted she “had the profound pleasure of lifting an NWSL championship trophy, representing Nigeria at the Olympics and a World Cup, and helping to lift the African Cup of Nations trophy with the Super Falcons for a historic 10th time.”
“This is not a goodbye to football, but a new beginning,” she stated. “I am excited to explore opportunities off the pitch, using the skills and lessons learned from my time on it.”
“Thank you to all the staff, teammates, coaches, doctors, fans, and my incredible friends and family for your unwavering support through the years. Although my time as a player has come to an end, my love and devotion for this game will never waver.” she concluded
The American-born striker, who made her senior debut for Nigeria in 2021, was part of the country’s 2023 Women’s World Cup squad and also represented the Super Falcons at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. She featured in the team’s WAFCON triumph in July 2025, which secured the country’s record-extending 10th continental title.
Her involvement in that tournament, held in Morocco, was limited to a 54-minute outing in the goalless draw against Algeria during the group stage. Despite limited playing time, she remained one of the squad’s older players.
