Nigeria striker Ifeoma Onumonu has officially retired from professional football at the age of 31 after a career that spanned more than two decades – www.naijnaira.com reports.
The Super Falcons forward shared the news on Instagram, where she reflected on a career that began with a childhood dream and ended with her wearing Nigeria’s green jersey at the highest level.
“It is with a heart full of gratitude that I bid farewell to my playing career on the pitch,” she wrote in her emotional message.
Born in California, she discovered the game at eight years old while playing for a local team called Magic.
She recalled those early days, saying: “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’s career stretched across France with Montpellier and the NWSL in the United States, where she played for Portland Thorns, Boston Breakers, Utah Royals, Reign FC, and Gotham FC.
Her decision to represent Nigeria in 2021 gave her the chance to feature at the Olympics, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
One of her proudest moments came in lifting the 2024 WAFCON trophy with the Super Falcons, Nigeria’s record 10th continental title.
“Now, 22 years later, I feel I have reached a natural conclusion to that discovery,” she wrote.
The forward also looked back on winning the NWSL championship, an honor she described as unforgettable.
“This is not a goodbye to football, but a new beginning,” she added, making clear her passion for the sport will continue in new ways.
She expressed gratitude to her coaches, teammates, doctors, fans, and family, acknowledging the support that kept her grounded through every stage of her journey.
Though she joined the Nigerian national team later in her career, her contribution left a mark that will be remembered by Super Falcons fans for years.
Article updated 16 hours ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
