SUPER Falcons captain Onome Ebi, who is the oldest player at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, has said she is raring to go at the global showpiece.
The nine-time African champions face Olympic champions Canada in Melbourne in the early hours of today (afternoon in Australia) and Ebi has declared that she is in ‘great mood’ for the Group B clash.
The central defender is 40 years old and no longer a guaranteed starter in Randy Waldrum’s team having not played active club football in months, but she is upbeat as she gets set to start her sixth World Cup journey.
Only Canada captain Christine Sinclair and Brazil forward Marta have attended as many World Cups as Ebi.
“I feel really good about this World Cup. It is going to be a lot different. We are ready and committed as a team to make Nigeria proud. Personally, I am in an absolutely great mood,” she told the Nigeria Football Federation media team.
“A lot will ride on our first match against Canada and what we’re able to take out of that. Which is why we are fully focused. Since our arrival in Melbourne on Thursday, we have been talking about nothing else. Our spirit is high, and we are confident of a positive result.”
Nigeria will battle one of the favourites Canada at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium starting at 12.30pm tomorrow (3:30am in Nigeria), with Ebi and Sinclair to captain the sides if they get starting roles.
“I respect her for what she has done, scoring 190 international goals. But we will have to put all that aside for the 90 minutes of the match. It is going to be serious business,” Ebi said.
Ebi will be making her 108th appearance if she gets to play tomorrow, and it will be her 15th FIFA Women’s World Cup match.
Nigeria reached the round of 16 at the last tournament in France four years ago, although they posted their worst-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations performance in Morocco last year, finishing a dismal fourth.
Still, Ebi says the Super Falcons are looking to go beyond the first knockout round this time.
“Our target is high, but we want to take it one match at a time. The focus for now is Canada, and then we can plan and strategise for the next opponents after that. We are committed to making our country proud.”
The Super Falcons will battle co-hosts Australia on July 27 and round off their Group B campaign against Ireland on July 31.
