Super Falcons striker Ifeoma Onumonu has announced her retirement from professional football.
Onumonu quit the round leather game at the age of 31.
The forward won titles at both and international level.
Onumonu took to the social media to announce her retirement on Saturday.
“It is with a heart full of gratitude that I bid farewell to my playing career on the pitch,” Onumonu wrote on her Instagram page.
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“I started playing football when I was eight years old, on a team called the Magic. 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. I loved discovering what my body could do and what I could do with the ball.
“Now, 22 years later, I feel I have reached a natural conclusion to that discovery. It has been an incredible journey. 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.
“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. Thank you for everything.”
By Adeboye Amosu
4 Comments
Thank you for the on-pitch memories. I can’t remember whose “baby” you were, whether Deo or Dr.drey.
Bowing out when the ovation is loudest.
I guess the only semblance of football heroics in Nigeria is women’s football at all levels meanwhile they are the least financed.
Where is WAFCON prize money, NFF?
Not me o! I was her number one critic. I didn’t have problem with her per se, I just bemoaned Randy Waldrum’s penchant for playing her as a winger.
That said, she was highly technical and , in my books, Onumonu is a legend.
As a centre forward, she left us with a holy candle of glowing memories that will burn in the memory for decades to come.
No one did it quite like her, stabbing home without a care in the world against some truly heavy weights on women’s football.
In 2 years time, this generation of highly technical Falcons will be at the later stages of their careers as they are currently I’m their late 20s or early 30s.
It will be interesting to see the shade of the team we file out at in the world cup in 2 years time.
Many of our Falconets and Flamingos are exuberant and practical but they lack the football IQ, telepathy, and judgement of this current assortment of dual nationality and indigenous players.
The management of the Falconets and Flamingos have totally neglected to pool of academy dual nationality teenage players in England, USA, and France that have the technicalities that come from not being coached by the Chris Danjumas of this world.
Once the Okoronkwos, Alozies, Plumptres, and Paynes follow in the footsteps of Onumonu to sail into the sunset of well earned and glorious retirement, it remains to be seen who will take their place.
Congratulations. I wish her all the best.
Congratulations am proud of you you are a legend