Above: Princess Ibini in action for Sydney FC. Image: Kris Goman for Impetus.
By Genevieve Henry (23/6/24).
In 2015, a 15 year-old Princess Ibini made her first appearance for Sydney FC, full of dreams and excitement. Coming up on 10 years later, she’s made 140 appearances and is set to become the record appearance maker for the Sky Blues.
“I can’t believe it. It’s amazing, honestly. I wouldn’t want to do it with any other club and I’m just very grateful for this opportunity.”
Ibini has broken a fair few records, and she’s sure to break even more throughout her time in the A-League Women. She’s 15th in appearances, 1st in Grand Final appearances, equal 1st in finals appearances, and fastest player to 100 appearances. With only six more appearances until she overtakes former Sydney captain Teresa Polias’ record, Ibini will also go easily into the top five most capped A-League players of all time. “Teresa Polias was such a staple for the club and still is now. She’s a legend of the club and to overtake her is crazy to me, I can’t even put it into words.”
Ibini’s family moved to Australia from Nigeria a few years before her birth. She grew up in Condell Park in Sydney with her three brothers, the oldest of whom, Bernie, inspired her to start playing football. When Ibini was only 9, her brother signed with the Central Coast Mariners and eventually became a star in the A-League. After a breakout season a few years later with Sydney, he made two appearances with the Socceroos. She’s followed in his footsteps, and still has so much more potential.
Ibini attended Westfield Sports High School, where some of Australia’s best athletes are made, including Socceroos legends Harry Kewell and Mathew Ryan, and Matildas teammate Ellie Carpenter. When Ibini was 12, former Matildas and Sydney FC coach Alen Stajcic noticed her footballing abilities and invited her to train with Sydney’s squad.
During her first season in Australia’s top flight, she said of her teammates in an interview, “hopefully one day I’ll play for the Matildas too.”
And now she has. Since 2017, she’s been capped 8 times and scored 1 goal. “Playing for the Matildas, scoring my first goal. It’s just been a surreal experience.”
Sydney has helped so many players become big names, take their game to the next level, and make that step up to the next level. Ibini commented that her success wouldn’t be possible without the club and all the coaches and players that have passed through Sydney throughout her time there. Sydney made Ibini achieve her goals and set many new ones.
Now, she’s that inspiration for the next generation. Although only 24, Ibini is a veteran and legend of Sydney FC and the A-League women.
“The club has definitely helped me along the way…It’s turned me into the player and the person I am off the field as well.”
And what a player she is. Although the 2033-24 season may have been a disappointing season in goals for Ibini, she’s far more than just a goalscorer. She played a massive role in the build-up play to goals, pressuring the opposition back line and connecting with her teammates.
Ibini will hope she can get back to her usual proficiency in front of goal this upcoming season. Overall, she has scored 28 goals for the Sky Blues and she surely has many more in her.
Ante Juric was full of praise for saying, “I know that she will continue to be committed and to work hard and improve, so she can go onto another level in her career, in many ways.”
When asked about her favourite memories in Sky Blue, Ibini said, “there’s been a few; probably scoring a hattrick against (Melbourne) Victory, that was nice; then just winning all the titles with all my best friends.”
Ibini has won three Premierships and three Championships, one of which she captained her side to. Her contributions in each and every campaign have been unmissable, with her goalscoring, assisting, energy, and leadership all being pivotal throughout her 9 seasons so far in Sky Blue.
Although she expressed her dismay at the event that led to her captaincy, Nat Tobin’s horrible injury, Ibini shared her pride to lead her team in such an important season. “The girls made it really easy, I had great support from all the older girls as well. It was an easy ride in the end and we got the job done.”
Ibini expressed Sydney’s intent to go back-to-back-to-back with the Championship. “That’s the goal with Sydney FC, we always wanna win stuff. We have a strong team– we’re losing a few players, but we always have players signing. Ante does great recruiting, so I know that we will get the job done.”
“You have players like Shay (Hollman), Maddie (Caspers), Indi (Dos Santos), they’re all coming through and doing amazing and I think that’s all credit to the environment we create at Sydney. It’s very competitive but we also have a good culture in the team. It’s like a family and everyone can be themselves and that also helps on the field.”
“Sydney FC always have a target on their back from the beginning. It’s always hard in the end, people always step up against Sydney, but at the end of the day, Sydney always rise to the occasion, whenever our backs are against the wall. We always find a way to win.”
One of the longest serving players in the A-League Women at such a young age, Ibini is etched in Australian footballing history and will surely continue to make her mark. She is a winner through and through. She is irreplaceable for Sydney and one of the most important players in the league. Princess Ibini is not only Sydney FC, but A-League royalty.
Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball
Facebook: @impetuswomensfootball Instagram: @impetusfootball
impetusfootball.org 