Super Falcons defender Osinachi Ohale retires from international football

Super Falcons defender Osinachi Ohale has announced her retirement from international football after 16 years of representing Nigeria.

 

The 34-year-old made the announcement in a statement shared on her official Instagram page on Friday, bringing an end to a national team career in which she earned 86 caps and featured at four FIFA Women’s World Cups and seven Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON, tournaments.

 

“After 16 years of wearing the Nigerian jersey, representing my country, and giving everything I had to the beautiful game, I have made the very difficult decision to retire from international football,” Ohale said.

 

Ohale was part of the Super Falcons teams that won five WAFCON titles and featured prominently in several major international tournaments.

 

Reflecting on her career, she said representing Nigeria had been a source of immense pride and gratitude.

 

“I have stood on the biggest stages in the world, representing Nigeria at four FIFA Women’s World Cups and seven WAFCON, and I am incredibly proud that we lifted the African title five times,” she said.

 

She said the memories of representing the country went beyond the statistics and trophies.

 

“But beyond the numbers and trophies are the memories that will stay with me forever — the tears, the celebrations, the difficult moments, the victories, the defeats, the friendships, the sacrifices, and every time I stood proudly with my hand over my heart and heard the Nigerian anthem,” she said.

 

Ohale also expressed appreciation to her teammates, coaches, support staff, family, friends and the Nigeria Football Federation for their roles throughout her career.

 

She equally thanked Nigerian fans for their support over the years.

 

“To the Nigerian fans: thank you for believing in us, supporting us, celebrating with us, and standing by us through every high and every low. Your love made wearing this jersey even more special,” she said.

 

Ohale said she was retiring without regrets, describing the opportunity to represent Nigeria as her greatest achievement.

 

“Today, I say goodbye to international football with no regrets — only gratitude.

 

“86 caps. 16 years. 4 World Cups. 7 WAFCON. 5 WAFCON titles. But the greatest achievement of all is knowing that I had the privilege to serve my country.”

 

She concluded with an emotional message to Nigeria.

 

“The jersey will leave my shoulders, but it will never leave my heart. Thank you, Nigeria, for allowing me to live my dream.

 

“Forever a Super Falcon. Forever Nigerian,” Ohale said.