Nigeria’s longest-serving Super Falcons defender, Onome Ebi, has officially retired from professional football, closing the curtain on an illustrious career that spanned more than two decades and set multiple records on the African and global stage.

The 41-year-old announced her decision on Tuesday through her official X (formerly Twitter) handle, writing:

“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. 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’s career is one of history-making consistency. She became the first African footballer — male or female — to feature in six FIFA World Cup tournaments, appearing at the 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023 editions.

She also represented Nigeria at multiple Olympic Games and was a cornerstone of the Super Falcons’ defensive setup across generations.

At the continental level, Ebi lifted four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) titles with Nigeria (2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018) and appeared in a record-equalling six editions of the tournament.

Her leadership and composure at the backline made her one of the most respected figures in African women’s football.

Beyond national team duty, Ebi enjoyed a rich club career across several continents, featuring for teams in Nigeria, Sweden, Turkey, Belarus, China, and Spain.

She won league titles in Belarus with FC Minsk and became one of Nigeria’s most-travelled female professionals, helping pave the way for younger players to pursue careers abroad.

In addition to her longevity, Ebi reached the milestone of 100 international caps for Nigeria, cementing her status among the country’s centurions.

Her retirement announcement has sparked an outpouring of tributes from teammates, fans, and football authorities, who hailed her as a trailblazer and role model.

Although stepping away from the pitch, Ebi has signaled her intention to remain active in football. She said her next chapter will focus on mentorship, advocacy, and amplifying the voices of players across Africa.

Ebi’s exit marks the end of an era for the Super Falcons, but her legacy as a pioneer, leader, and champion of Nigerian football will endure.

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Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles, have departed the country for Chile, as they countenance a 12-day final phase camping in the South American nation ahead of their participation in this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals.

Seven-time African champions Nigeria will play all their Group F matches at the Estadio Fiscal in Talca, a city 250 kilometres from the Chilean capital, Santiago. They will first confront Norway on Monday, 29^th September, before clashes with Saudi Arabia (2^nd October) and Colombia (5^th October).

A team of 20 players and 11 officials (midfielder Daniel Daga will join the team in Chile from his base in Norway) departed from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Sunday evening, aboard a Turkish Airline flight to Istanbul, where the contingent will connect to Santiago – venue of their final phase camping.

The seven-time African champions had training sessions in Abuja for some weeks, before Sunday’s departure.

The 24^th FIFA U20 World Cup finals will be played across the cities of Santiago, Rancagua, Valparaiso and Talca. The competition, which started as the FIFA World Youth Tournament, was launched in 1977 and was first hosted by Tunisia.

Nigeria were narrowly edged by Korea Republic after extra time in the semi finals at the last championship hosted by Argentina. The country finished as runners-up in 1989 in Saudi Arabia and in 2005 in The Netherlands.

Group A is headed by hosts Chile, and also has New Zealand, Japan and Egypt, while Group B entertains South Korea, Ukraine, Paraguay and Panama.

Brazil heads Group C that also has Mexico, Morocco and Spain, while Group D includes Italy, Australia, Cuba and multiple winners Argentina. USA, New Caledonia, France and South Africa make up Group E.  

FLYING EAGLES FOR 2025 FIFA U20 WORLD CUP FINALS

Goalkeepers: Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Clinton Ezekiel (Bayelsa United); Rufa’i Abubakar (Mavlon FC)

Defenders: Ocheche Amos Onyejefu (Stade de Reims, France); Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Marvelous Avberosou (Ikorodu City); Alatan Azuka (36 Lions); Akinyele Ahmed Olamide (Remo Stars)

Midfielders: Israel Ayuma (NK Istra, Croatia); Emmanuel Ekowoicho (FC Montana, Bulgaria); Mustapha Kamaldeen (Kwara Football Academy); Daniel Daga (Molde FC, Norway); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United); Nasiru Salihu (Qabala FC, Azerbaijan)

Forwards: Achichi Oseer (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Sani Suleman (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Kparobo Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway); Charles Agaba (NK Istra, Croatia); Abdullahi Shitu Ele (Manchester City FC, England)

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Defending champions Remo Stars suffered a major setback on Sunday as Plateau United handed them a 2-0 defeat in Jos, the standout result of the latest Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) round of fixtures.

Backed by a lively home crowd, Plateau United showed intent from the start and were rewarded when Tarabina Biweribo struck the opener.

Mafeng Pam later sealed the shock victory, condemning the SkyBlue boys to their heaviest only defeat of the season.

Elsewhere, Ahmed Musa turned back the clock in Kano, scoring in the 57th minute to secure a 1-0 win for Kano Pillars against Enugu Rangers in a fierce northern derby.

Enyimba also laid down a marker with an impressive away victory, defeating Bayelsa United 2-0 in Yenagoa. Chidiebere Ezeh’s 76th-minute effort broke the deadlock before Kalu Nweke added a second to put the result beyond doubt.

Rivers United edged Shooting Stars 1-0 thanks to Ubong Friday’s 72nd-minute strike, while Abia Warriors scraped past Katsina United courtesy of Somiari Alaibo’s 51st-minute goal.

In Lafia, Nasarawa United got off to a flying start through Tochukwu Michael Udeh’s sixth-minute strike, which proved enough to beat Wikki Tourists 1-0.

Kun Khalifat thrilled their fans with a 3-1 home victory over El Kanemi Warriors, with Ebuka Nwokorie netting twice in a dominant display.

The only draw of the round came in Warri, where Warri Wolves and Kwara United settled for a 0-0 stalemate.

Results

• Abia Warriors 1-0 Katsina United
• Rivers United 1-0 Shooting Stars
• Warri Wolves 0-0 Kwara United
• Bayelsa United 0-2 Enyimba
• Kano Pillars 1-0 Enugu Rangers
• Kun Khalifat 3-1 El Kanemi
• Nasarawa United 1-0 Wikki Tourists
• Plateau United 2-0 Remo Stars

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