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Super Falcons forward Ifeoma Onumonu has announced her retirement from professional football, drawing the curtain on a career that spanned over a decade across the United States, France, and Nigeria.
The 31-year-old announced in a statement posted on Instagram in the early hours of Saturday. She expressed gratitude for her football journey, describing her decision to retire as a “natural conclusion” to a lifelong pursuit that began when she was just eight years old.
“It is with a heart full of gratitude that I bid farewell to my playing career on the pitch,” Onumonu wrote, reflecting on her early years with a youth team called Magic in the United States.
“We played in white, black, and green jerseys at the AYSO fields near my house. I remember how vast I thought the field was. I don’t remember if I played an actual position or if I even passed the ball.
”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 said her passion for football had guided her for 22 years, leading to unforgettable moments at both club and international levels.
“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,” she added.
“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,” she stated.
She thanked all who supported her journey, adding, “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.”
American-born striker Ifeoma Onumonu, who made her senior debut for Nigeria in 2021, represented the Super Falcons at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the 2025 WAFCON in Morocco, where Nigeria clinched a record 10th title.
Born in California to a Nigerian father, Onumonu played for several NWSL clubs, including Boston Breakers and NJ/NY Gotham FC, before joining Montpellier in France. A former U.S. U-23 player and graduate of the California Golden Bears, she was admired for her intelligence, composure, and work ethic. Onumonu said her retirement would not end her involvement in football.
