CAPTAIN Onome Ebi believes the Super Falcons are raring to go and in a positive mood ahead of their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Group B clash against Republic of Ireland in Brisbane on Monday.
The 40-year-old Ebi came off the bench on Thursday to make an appearance in a sixth World Cup tournament, becoming the first African to achieve the feat.
Ebi also became one of a handful of women to have played in six World Cups alongside Brazil’s Marta and Canada’s Christine Sinclair.
The nine-time African champions went on to stun co-hosts Australia 3-2 in the game, putting them in a good position to reach the round of 16 from a very tough group.
The Super Falcons are on top of the group with four points, and a draw with already eliminated debutants Republic of Ireland will send them through to the knockout rounds.
“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,” Ebi said as she previewed Monday’s fixture.
“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 knockout rounds in the USA in 1999, the team lost to hosts USA before defeating North Korea and Denmark to make the quarter-finals.
In 2019, when they reached the round of 16, they lost 3-0 to Norway and 1-0 to hosts France, but defeated South Korea 2-0 to advance.
“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.
Co-hosts Australia face Olympic champions 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.
Both matches will kick of at 11am Nigerian time.
