Former Super Falcons captain and four-time WAFCON champion, Onome Ebi, has officially called time on her illustrious career at the age of 42.

The legendary defender, who holds the record as Nigeria’s most-capped female player, made the announcement on Wednesday via her official X account, bringing an end to a remarkable journey that spanned more than two decades.

“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. “Though I hang up my boots, my purpose in the game continues, to give back, to guide, and to be a voice for players.”

Ebi made her Super Falcons debut in 2003 and went on to earn over 109 international appearances. In 2023, she etched her name in history once again when she featured at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia, becoming the first African footballer male or female to play in six World Cup tournaments. She was 40 years and 50 days old when she stepped onto the pitch against Australia.

Her international honours include four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles (2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018), where she was a key figure in Nigeria’s dominance of the continent.

At club level, Ebi’s career took her from Omidiran Babes and Bayelsa Queens in Nigeria to stints across Europe and Asia, including Sweden’s Piteå IF, Turkish giants Ataşehir Belediyespor, FC Minsk in Belarus, and clubs in Spain and China. She returned to Nigeria with Naija Ratels before signing with Israeli side Bnot Netanya FC in January 2024, where she closed out her career.