Super Falcons defender Osinachi Ohale retires from international football

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By Adegboyega Adeleye

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

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Ohale made the announcement in a statement shared on her official Instagram handle on Friday, bringing an end to a national-team career in which she earned 86 caps and represented Nigeria at four FIFA Women’s World Cups and seven Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournaments.

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“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.

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The 34-year-old defender reflected on her journey from dreaming of playing for Nigeria to becoming a five-time WAFCON champion.

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“I can only look back with a heart overflowing with gratitude,” she said.

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

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Reflecting on her career, the defender said the memories of representing Nigeria would remain with her beyond the statistics and trophies.

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“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.

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“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.”

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Ohale also thanked her teammates, coaches, support staff, family, friends and the Nigeria Football Federation for being part of her journey.

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“To my teammates, coaches, staff, family, friends, Nigeria Football Federation and everyone who walked this journey with me — thank you,” she said.

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The defender, who plays for Mexican Liga MX Femenil club Pachuca Femenil, also expressed appreciation to Nigerian fans for their support throughout her international career.

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“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 added.

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Ohale said she was leaving international football without regrets, describing her opportunity to represent Nigeria as her greatest achievement.

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

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“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.”

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She concluded her statement with an emotional message to Nigeria, saying her retirement would not diminish her connection with the country.

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

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

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