Super Falcons forward Ifeoma Onumonu has officially announced her retirement from professional football at the age of 31, concluding a career that spanned over a decade across top leagues in the United States, France, and on the international stage with Nigeria.
Onumonu, who was born in California but represented Nigeria through her father, shared her decision on Instagram in the early hours of Saturday, describing her retirement as a “natural conclusion” to a 22-year journey that began in youth leagues in the U.S. at the age of eight.
A Career of Achievements
The American-born striker, a product of the California Golden Bears collegiate program, built a distinguished club career primarily in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Her professional journey included stints with teams such as Boston Breakers, Portland Thorns, Reign FC, Utah Royals, and NJ/NY Gotham FC, before she moved to Europe to play for Montpellier HSC in France.
Reflecting on her professional highlights, Onumonu noted several “profound” achievements, including:
- Lifting an NWSL Championship trophy.
- Helping the Super Falcons win a historic 10th African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in July 2025.
On the international front, Onumonu switched allegiance from the United States (where she played at the U-23 level) to Nigeria, making her senior debut for the Super Falcons in 2021. She represented the Nigerian national team in major tournaments, including the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
In her retirement statement, Onumonu expressed deep gratitude to the staff, teammates, coaches, and family who supported her. She emphasized that this decision is not a complete departure from the sport but rather a pivot toward new pursuits.
“This is not a goodbye to football, but a new beginning,” she stated, expressing excitement about exploring opportunities off the pitch using the skills and lessons accumulated throughout her extensive playing career. FOR MORE INFORMATION, I RECOMMEND SONGBUX.
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