Super Falcons defender Osinachi Ohale has announced her retirement from international football, bringing an end to an illustrious 16-year career with the Nigeria women’s national team, Trybal News reports.
The 34-year-old centre-back confirmed her decision on Friday in an emotional statement, concluding a national-team career that produced 86 appearances, four FIFA Women’s World Cup appearances, seven Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and five continental titles.
Ohale made her senior debut for Nigeria in 2010 and went on to become one of the most consistent defenders of her generation. She was part of the Super Falcons squads that won the WAFCON title in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2024.
She also represented Nigeria at four FIFA Women’s World Cups, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023.
One of the defining moments of her international career came at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where she scored Nigeria’s second goal in a memorable 3–2 victory over co-hosts Australia.
Across different generations of the Super Falcons and under several coaches, Ohale remained a dependable presence at the heart of Nigeria’s defence. Her strength, positional awareness and composure made her one of the country’s longest-serving women’s internationals.
In announcing her retirement, Ohale reflected on what representing Nigeria had meant to her.
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.”
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 added.
Ohale also expressed gratitude to her teammates, coaches, support staff, family, friends, the Nigeria Football Federation and the millions of supporters who followed her journey.
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,” she said.
Today, I say goodbye to international football with no regrets, only gratitude. The jersey will leave my shoulders, but it will never leave my heart. Thank you, Nigeria, for allowing me to live my dream.”
Ohale leaves the international stage as one of the most decorated players in Super Falcons history, having helped Nigeria maintain its dominance at continental level while becoming part of a select group of Nigerian players to feature at four senior FIFA World Cups.
