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| Photo credit — Osinachi Ohale |
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has publicly honoured Super Falcons defender Osinachi Ohale after she announced her retirement from international football, closing a 16-year chapter with Nigeria’s senior women’s national team.
Ohale, aged 34, shared the news on Friday, 25 September, via Instagram. She leaves the international stage having earned 86 caps, appeared at four FIFA Women’s World Cups (2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023), and featured in seven Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournaments. She was part of five title-winning Super Falcons sides.
In her farewell message she wrote: “After 16 years of wearing the Nigeria jersey, representing my country and giving everything I had for this beautiful sport, I have made the very difficult decision to retire from international football.”
She reflected on the personal cost and reward of the journey: “I gave this jersey my youth, my strength, my sweat, my tears, and my heart. And if I had to do it all over again, I would choose Nigeria every single time.” She closed by saying she departs “with no regrets, only gratitude.”
CAF responded with a tribute on X (via its women’s football account): “Five WAFCON titles. One immortal legacy. Thank you Ohale for every battle, every trophy and every memory.”
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Ohale’s career spanned multiple generations of Super Falcons players. She made her senior debut around 2010 and contributed to continental success in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018 and the 2024 edition (staged in 2025). She is recognised among a small group of players with five WAFCON titles. At the 2023 World Cup she scored in Nigeria’s memorable 3-2 group-stage win over co-hosts Australia and earned Player of the Match recognition. Her final international appearance came in the 2026 World Cup qualifying play-off against South Africa.
While stepping away from national-team duty, reports indicate she continues her club career.
Teammates and the wider Nigerian football community have described her as a reliable leader and defensive cornerstone.
This retirement marks the end of a significant era for Nigerian women’s football. Ohale’s consistency, trophy haul and longevity set a high standard for future defenders. CAF’s tribute underscores the lasting impact of her contributions on the continental stage.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers news, politics, current affairs, education, and technology.
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