Super Falcons Forward, Ifeoma Onumonu Honourably Retires From Football At 31

Super Falcons and Montpellier Forward, Ifeoma Onumonu has officially announced her retirement from professional football at the age of 31, ending a career that spanned over two decades at the club and international level.

This announcement came from her official Instagram account where she expressed gratitude for the journey that began when she was just eight. Born in California, USA, Onumonu fell in love with football at a tender age while playing for a local youth team, Magic. That passion drove her from Youth football in the United States, into the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), and later to Europe with French side Montpellier.

Excerpt from Ifeoma’s Statement:

“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,” she reflected. “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. “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 learnt from my time on it,”.

Onumonu was one of the players of Nigerian descent who chose to represent Motherland on the International stage in 2021. Interestingly, she would go on to feature at the Olympics, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and was a part of the Super Falcons’ record-winning 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.

Onumonu will be remembered as a highly technical player, ability to be the extra body in midfield, capability to “bully” opponents, strong ball control, speed, and strength to beat defenders.

Ifeoma’s tireless work ethics and the never-say-never spirit that punishes defenders who undermine her sharp-witted skills, strength, and unpredictable team influence made her a significant offensive weapon for Nigeria. She has no doubt left us with a holy candle of admirable memories that will burn in the memory for decades to come.

Onumonu enjoyed an extensive club career, playing for Portland Thorns, Boston Breakers, Utah Royals, Reign FC, and Gotham FC in the NWSL before moving to French side Montpellier.

Her football acumen though highly underrated here in Nigeria is the reason she scored very unpredictable goals like we saw her do against France some months ago.