Nigeria defender Osinachi Ohale retires from international football

Nigeria defender Osinachi Ohale has retired from international football at the age of 34 after 16 years with the Super Falcons. She announced the decision on Friday in a farewell statement on Instagram. Ohale made her senior debut in 2010 and leaves the national team with 86 caps.

She represented Nigeria at four FIFA Women’s World Cups—in 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023—and appeared at seven editions of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The centre-back was part of five Nigerian teams that won the continental title, in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2024. The 2024 tournament was played in Morocco in July 2025 after its original schedule was postponed.

Nigeria defeated the hosts 3-2 in the final, with Ohale scoring as the Super Falcons recovered from two goals down. She also scored in Nigeria’s 3-2 group-stage victory over co-hosts Australia at the 2023 World Cup. Nigeria advanced from its group and reached the knockout stage of that tournament.

Ohale said leaving the national side was among the most difficult decisions of her career. She wrote that she had given the team her youth, strength, sweat and heart, and said she would choose Nigeria again if given the opportunity. Her statement thanked teammates, coaches, technical staff, family, friends, the Nigeria Football Federation and supporters.

Ohale said her international career ended with gratitude rather than regret and described representing her country as her greatest achievement. Her decision followed Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup. She had been part of the squad during the latest qualification campaign.

Ohale’s club career is continuing. She currently plays for Pachuca in Mexico, after previous spells in the United States, Sweden and Spain, including a period with Alavés. Her retirement therefore ends her international career but not her involvement in club football.