Nigeria captain Onome Ebi reveals motivation behind Naija Ratels move

By Saheed Afolabi

Nigeria captain, Onome Ebi has revealed the reasons behind her bold decision to join Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership side, Naija Ratels after successful 15-year career outside the shores of the country.

Ebi had previously been on the books of defunct Omidiran Babes and Bayelsa Queens before moving abroad have made a bold decision to join Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership side, Naija Ratels.

The 40-year-old defender revealed her excitement over the new challenge ahead and insists she’s not done yet, stressing the switch to Naija Ratels was down to her personal projects in Abuja.

“It is 100% true, i will be playing with Naija Ratels, I am back to Nigeria Women’s Football League,” she told nigeriafootball.ng exclusively.

“Onome Ebi is still Onome Ebi, I have not retired and I have not gone off break. I have not retired.

“I just finished the world cup like you all know. So, to keep myself fit, since I have some projects in Abuja. I thought why not play for Nigeria league. it is why i stayed while playing in Niger Ratels.”

On the reception and team’s standard, Onome admitted the coordination, discipline and unity of Naija Ratels convinced her to join the club and not financial benefits.

attached to her move to the Abuja based club but necessitated by the desire to motivate the young lads at the club as she rated the NWFL Premiership as a competition league.

“Naija Ratels is a very important team, the last time I saw them, I saw unity, coordination and discipline. That is what I stand for, discipline. So having the projects in Abuja, I looked to Naija Ratels, since they have all the facility I need in a team, to keep me going and keep me fit. That’s why I joined.

“No, I am just playing for the passion and also to motivate the girls, on my time. When I see someone like Mercy Akide. I get gingered. So, I believe when the girls sees me they get motivated.

“I am impressed by the calibers of players I see, they are so young and they play well, this shows that the coming league will be very competitive and I give it to Naija Ratels because I am there. The teams are ready with what I saw.”

Onome led the Super Falcons to a round of 16 finish at the last FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia where she was celebrated by the World football governing body for making an historic sixth appearance at the mundial.