Nigeria Tremendous Falcons ahead, Ifeoma Onumonu, has introduced her retirement from soccer, bringing the curtain down on a exceptional 22-year journey that spanned the heights of membership and worldwide success.
In a heartfelt assertion posted on her social media pages early Saturday morning, the 31-year-old striker expressed gratitude as she “bid farewell” to her taking part in profession.
“It’s with a coronary heart stuffed with gratitude that I bid farewell to my taking part in profession on the pitch,” she wrote. “Though my time as a participant has come to an finish, my love and devotion for this recreation won’t ever waver.”
Onumonu traced her footballing beginnings again to when she was eight, taking part in for a youth staff known as “The Magic” at native AYSO fields in the USA. She recalled how her earliest recollections of the sport have been crammed with pleasure reasonably than outcomes.
“All I needed to do was run as quick as I may and rating. I didn’t a lot care about profitable or shedding; I simply beloved taking part in,” she stated.
Hyperlink to the post on IG
A embellished Membership profession
Through the years, Onumonu blossomed into probably the most constant performers within the NWSL. She lifted the NWSL Championship trophy throughout her time in the USA, turning into one of many few Nigerian internationals to win the distinguished title. Famend for her motion, selflessness, and composure, she developed a repute as a big-game participant and a dependable teammate.
From her early days at Portland Thorns to stints with Boston Breakers, Reign FC, and most notably NJ/NY Gotham FC, Onumonu performed in top-flight American soccer. Her NWSL Championship triumph stays one of many crowning moments of her membership profession.
Tremendous Falcons Icon
Onumonu’s affect with Nigeria’s Tremendous Falcons was equally historic. She represented the nation on the Olympics, featured on the FIFA Girls’s World Cup, and helped Nigeria to a record-extending tenth Africa Girls’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) title.
Her management, professionalism, and expertise have been pivotal because the Falcons continued their reign as Africa’s most profitable girls’s soccer staff.
READ ALSO: Rasheedat Ajibade leads Tremendous Falcons’ tribute to Onome Ebi after retirement
Reflecting on her journey, she wrote: “I had the profound pleasure of lifting an NWSL championship trophy, representing Nigeria on the Olympics and a World Cup, and serving to to elevate the African Cup of Nations trophy with the Tremendous Falcons for a historic tenth time.”
A brand new Chapter
Whereas Onumonu is stepping away from the pitch, she made it clear that is “not a goodbye to soccer however a brand new starting.” She introduced her pleasure to “discover alternatives off the pitch, utilizing the abilities and classes realized from my time on it.”
She additionally took time to thank those that have been a part of her journey: “Thanks to all of the employees, teammates, coaches, medical doctors, followers, and my unimaginable family and friends to your unwavering assist by way of the years.”
Along with her retirement, Nigerian soccer loses one in all its most skilled and versatile forwards of the trendy period. But Onumonu’s legacy, each as an NWSL champion and a Tremendous Falcons stalwart, stays an inspiration for younger gamers dreaming of mixing membership and worldwide success.
Her profession embodies the values of perseverance, adaptability, and excellence which have outlined the Tremendous Falcons for many years.
