Super Falcons Star Ifeoma Onumonu Retires from Football at 31
Nigeria international Ifeoma Onumonu has announced her retirement from professional football at the age of 31, bringing an end to an inspiring career that spanned over two decades.
The Super Falcons forward made the announcement in an emotional post on Instagram, reflecting on her journey from childhood dreams to international success.
“It is with a heart full of gratitude that I bid farewell to my playing career on the pitch,” Onumonu wrote.
Born in California, United States, Onumonu fell in love with football at just eight years old while playing for a local youth team called Magic.
“All I wanted to do was run as fast as I could and score,” she recalled. “I didn’t much care about winning or losing; I just loved playing. I loved discovering what my body could do and what I could do with the ball.”
That passion took her from youth football in America to the top of the women’s game. She featured for Montpellier in France and played across several clubs in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), including Portland Thorns, Boston Breakers, Utah Royals, Reign FC, and Gotham FC.
On the international stage, Onumonu chose to represent Nigeria in 2021. She went on to play at the Olympics, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) — where she helped the Super Falcons win their record 10th continental title.
“Now, 22 years later, I feel I have reached a natural conclusion to that discovery,” she said. “I 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.”
Although retiring from playing, Onumonu made it clear that her connection with football remains strong.
“This is not a goodbye to football, but a new beginning. 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.”
For Nigeria, Ifeoma Onumonu leaves as a player who joined the national team later in her career but made a lasting impact in the green and white, representing the Super Falcons with pride and passion.
