Tag: Onome Ebi

FIFA Women’s World Cup: Super Falcons captain says team positive ahead of Ireland clash

History-making captain Onome Ebi says the Super Falcons are gingered and in a super positive mood ahead of Monday evening’s Group B cracker against the Republic of Ireland at Brisbane’s Lang Park.

The 40-year-old became one of the oldest women to have featured at the FIFA Women’s World Cup when she was introduced into the game against co-hosts Australia at the same venue on Thursday.

She’s also one of the few women, and the only one from the African continent, to have played in six finals, alongside Brazil’s Marta and Canada’s Christine Sinclair.

“We are very positive and looking forward to the match. The mood in camp is great and everyone is in high spirits. The win against Australia has given us the belief and the confidence to face any team. We will play for a win.

“We want Nigerians all over the world to continue to support us and believe in the team. That alone gives us great motivation. We have won one match and drawn one. We want to set the record of not losing any match in the group phase and topping our group.”

When the Falcons reached the knock-out rounds in the USA in 1999, the team lost to hosts USA before defeating North Korea and Denmark to make the quarter-finals. Mercy Akide and Rita Nwadike scored in the 2-1 win over North Korea, while Akide and Nkiru Okosieme scored in the 2-0 win over Denmark.

In 2019, when they reached the Round of 16, the nine-time African champions lost 0-3 to Norway and 0-1 to hosts France, on either side of a 2-0 defeat of South Korea, with Asisat Oshoala scoring after an own goal by the Koreans.

“We know we still have a job to do; we are not deterred. We simply go in there and play for a win,” Ebi added.

The Falcons, top of the pool with four points, take on the ‘Girls in Green” on Monday night starting from 8pm Australia time (11am Nigeria time) with the Irish already eliminated from the tournament.

Co-hosts Australia tackle Canada in the other match of the group that will be played simultaneously. The Canadians are also on four points, with the Matildas on three.

With a win in mind, Nigeria could start with a forward-line of record-breaker Asisat Oshoala, and Uchenna Kanu (who scored the first goal against Australia), with Rasheedat Ajibade and Ifeoma Onumonu operating from the wings.

July 30, 2023
2023 FIFA Women’s WC: Super Falcons will not disappoint – Onome Ebi

Super Falcons captain, Onome Ebi has assured Nigerian fans that the team will not disappoint at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The former African champions have attended the last five FIFA editions of the world cup.

The Super Falcons, who are Africa’s most successful side made it to the quarter-final once, at the 1999 edition hosted by the United States of America.

The West Africans were eliminated in the second round by Germany four years ago in France.

The Super Falcons will slug it out with Olympic champions, Canada, Australia and the Republic of Ireland in group A,

Super Falcons first game of the competition will be against Canada in the early hours of Friday.

Recall that the Super Falcons finished in the fourth position at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations last year in Morocco.

Ebi, who will be making her sixth World Cup appearance in Australia and New Zealand said the team has high hopes going into the competition.

“Our ambition, definitely, is to do our best. We approach this World Cup with the mindset of performing to our utmost best and conquering. We had some disappointments at the last Africa Women’s Cup of Nations where we did not put the best performance,” the centre-back said in an interview with CAFOnline.

“We have the opportunity at the World Cup where we do not want to disappoint again. I have faith in my team and I like our current state of mind. The team is united and I believe we will be able to do great things at the World Cup. We are motivated and we want to hoist Nigeria’s flag to the highest point.

“The ball is in our court as players and we have to do everything to be on fire physically and mentally for this opportunity.”

The Super Falcons will take on Canada in their first game on Thursday.

July 18, 2023
Super Falcons captain, Ebi signs for Levante Football Club

Super Falcons captain, Onome Ebi has been signed up by Spanish La Liga club side, Levante Las Planas.

The 39-year-old player last played for ZFK Minsk played in the Belarusian Premier League.

Ebi was elated after signing the deal on Thursday as she hit her social media handle to express her joy.

Her post reads “New Home New Experience @fclevantelasplanasfem

“Thank You Lord For Another Opportunity,” Ebi wrote on her handle.

The center-back has previously played for clubs in Sweden, Turkey, and China.

Ebi has made 104 appearances for Nigeria with two goals to her name.

Onome Ebi is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a center-back the Nigeria women’s national team.

In 2019 she became the first African footballer to play in 5 FIFA World Cup Tournaments.

September 30, 2022
Super Falcons ready to win AFCON trophy, qualify for Worldcup-Ebi

Super Falcons’ captain, Onome Ebi has declared that the nine-time African champions are fully focused on the twin objectives of winning a ticket to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals and retaining their Women Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco next month.

Cup holders Nigeria and 11 other countries will contend for the coveted Women AFCON trophy in the North African kingdom between 2^nd – 23^rd July, and all four semi-finalists are guaranteed berths in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – the biggest ever in the history of the women’s game that will be staged in Australia and New Zealand a year on.

“We are aware of the intense competition that is going to play out there in Morocco. We have no illusions. Women’s football has continued to grow in a lot of other African nations, faster than anyone can imagine. So, there will be nothing like under-rating any team. All the teams will be upbeat about their chances and winning tickets to the World Cup.

“On our part, as defending champions, we know our strengths. We know what we have to bring to the pitch to conquer. The wise thing always is to take it one match at a time. We go up first against the Banyana, and then we have to face the challenges of Botswana and Burundi. Then, the knock-out rounds. World Cup ticket is paramount, but we also want to retain our trophy.”

Nigeria have won nine of the 11 championships contested so far, done every other year since 1998, save for the 2020 edition that was obliterated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Ebi, who has played in five FIFA World Cup finals since the 4^th finals in the United States of America in 2003, was among 19 esrly arrivals as the training camp commenced in Abuja on Thursday.

The 19 early birds have now been joined by four others, and four more are expected as the team prepares to depart the country next weekend for Morocco.

June 19, 2022
Asisat Oshoala attacks teammate Onome Ebi over captain’s armband

Barcelona Femini attacker and super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala has verbally attacked teammate Onome Ebi over the team’s captaincy.

Oshoala has been stripped of the Super Falcons captain’s arm band after leading the senior female team for a year and half.

The reason for stripping her of the captain’s armband hasn’t been revealed by the coach of Super Falcons, Randy Waldrum.

Recall that in 2020 Desire Oparanozie was also stripped of the captain’s arm band and handed over to Oshoala. Oparanozie lost the privilege after being accused of insubordination and unnecessary agitations for the team.

However, Oshoala has put the blame on Super Falcons defender, Onome Ebi, saying she’s 40 and still looking for validation.

Her twitter post reads:”May i not be 40 and still desperately crave for validation

”When somebody openly said she FASTED and PRAYED against the captain Band ,how we wan do na? Check everybody wey collect after her,how far?

See Tweet Below:

April 8, 2022