Super Falcons defender, Osinachi Ohale, has announced her retirement from international football. This ends her 16-year career with Nigeria after the team failed to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, as reported by Saturday PUNCH.
The centre-back was part of the squad that did not qualify for the World Cup. She called the decision tough after representing Nigeria for so long. Ohale made the announcement on her Instagram page on Friday.
“There are moments in life when words are simply not enough. Today is one of those moments,” Ohale wrote.
“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.”
She leaves with 86 caps to her name. Her career included four FIFA Women’s World Cups in 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023. She also played in seven Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Ohale was part of five WAFCON-winning teams in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2024. One of her standout moments was at the 2023 World Cup in Australia, where she scored Nigeria’s second goal in a 3-2 win over the co-hosts.
At the 2024 WAFCON in Morocco, played in July 2025, she scored again as Nigeria came from behind to defeat the hosts 3-2 in the final.
Ohale made her senior debut for Nigeria in 2010 and became one of the most experienced defenders in Super Falcons history. She remained a steady presence across different generations of players and under various coaches.
She expressed gratitude to her teammates, coaches, staff, family, and the Nigeria Football Federation, along with Nigerian fans for their support throughout her career.
“To my teammates, coaches, staff, family, friends, Nigeria Football Federation, and everyone who walked this journey with me, thank you. You became part of a chapter of my life that I will treasure forever,” she wrote.
“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.”
Ohale said her greatest achievement was the privilege of serving her country.
“But the greatest achievement of all is knowing that I had the privilege to serve my country. The jersey will leave my shoulders, but it will never leave my heart,” she concluded.
The 34-year-old currently plays for Mexican club Pachuca. She has also played for Houston Dash in the United States and clubs in Sweden and Spain, including Alavés.
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