Former Super Falcons captain Onome Ebi has been selected to join the first-ever FIFA Players Executive Programme, marking yet another historic milestone in a trailblazing career that spans over two decades.
The initiative, announced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, is aimed at empowering retired and active players to transition into football governance and shape policy at the highest levels of the sport.
Ebi was chosen from over 300 applicants globally, with FIFA describing her as “a leader of the future” and “a legend who has moved the hearts of millions.”
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“Football unites the world, and together we will forge new paths and raise the game,” Infantino wrote in a welcome letter to the Nigerian icon.
Image Credit: FIFA
Ebi, 41, holds the distinction of being the first African footballer—male or female—to feature in six FIFA World Cup tournaments, representing Nigeria in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023 editions of the Women’s World Cup, as well as the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Onome Ebi. Photo Credit: X
Her international career began in 2003, and she went on to earn 109 caps for Nigeria, scoring three goals and becoming the most-capped female player in the nation’s history.
At the club level, Ebi has enjoyed a rich and globe-trotting career. She played domestically for Naija Ratels, Abia Angels, and Bayelsa Queens before embarking on stints across Europe and Asia. Her club journey includes spells with:
- Piteå IF (Sweden)
- Djurgårdens IF (Sweden)
- Ataşehir Belediyespor (Turkey)
- FC Minsk (Belarus)
- Levante Las Planas (Spain)
- Henan Jianye (China)
Her inclusion in FIFA’s programme is seen as a major step forward not just for Nigerian football but also for African women in sport leadership.
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The FIFA Players Executive Programme seeks to provide former players with skills in administration, governance, and advocacy.
Participants will engage with global football leaders, attend workshops, and collaborate on projects designed to advance the sport both on and off the pitch.
