AfriPulse
The Super Falcons have paid tribute to their captain, Onome Ebi, who on Wednesday announced her retirement from professional football, closing a career that spanned two decades and set several records in Nigerian and African football.
In a statement posted on X on Thursday through midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade, the team highlighted Ebi’s leadership and achievements, noting that her influence went beyond the pitch.
“On behalf of every member of the Super Falcons, we extend our deepest gratitude to you, Captain Onome Ebi, for your extraordinary service and leadership over the past two decades,” the message read.
The statement recalled her role in winning four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles and her record six FIFA Women’s World Cup appearances. “You have been more than a captain. You’ve been a trailblazer who paved the way for this generation of players,” the team wrote.
Tracing her career from Bayelsa Queens to clubs in Sweden, Turkey, China, Spain, and Nigeria, the team noted that her resilience showed “no dream is too big and no barrier too high.”
They also pointed to her future role in supporting the next generation of African players: “Your promise to mentor and uplift young African footballers ensures your impact will echo for generations.”
Ebi leaves the national team with 109 caps, the highest by any Nigerian female player, and a reputation for consistency and longevity. She also became the first African footballer, male or female, to play in six World Cup tournaments, achieving the milestone at the 2023 edition.
In her own farewell message, Ebi said her career had been shaped by challenges and victories that taught her lasting lessons. “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,” she wrote on X.
“Though I hang up my boots, my purpose in the game continues to give back, to guide, and to be a voice for players,” she added.
Source: Guardian Nigeria | Read the Full Story…
