Onome Ebi exonerates NFF scribe from Falcons poor turnout for First Lady reception

By Saheed Afolabi

Nigeria captain, Onome Ebi has denied not including the players and officials of the country who participated at FIFA Women’s World Cup in the recent reception done by Nigeria first lady, Senator Remi Tinubu.

Only three Super Falcons players were at the Presidential Villa to meet with the first lady and this caused a wild backlash from various quarters.

Debunks the information about sidelining her teammates for the first lady reception, Ebi said she passed the information personally to the players in Australia but majority of the players gave flimsy excuses that they won’t be able to attend the reception.

“I must say that I, as the Captain of the team (Super Falcons), passed the information relayed to me by the Team Secretary (Mrs Mary Obodoku) that the Presidency want to host us on our return to Nigeria,” Ebi told Prompt News.

“ I informed everyone right there in Brisbane, Australia. But many told me that they will be joining their clubs for the Pre-season training straight from Australia while others gave us excuse that they have family issues to attend at the same period and would not attend the reception.”

The former Levante Las Planas player defended the NFF secretary general, Mohammed Sanusi of the allegations levelled against him of compiling the list of the players to see the first lady.

“I don’t want to believe that Dr. Sanusi drew up the list of those to attend the Presidential Villa Reception. The invitation to the team was made open for the team members to attend but only few turned up,” Ebi continued.

“That is what I know about it. I don’t know the source of the negative vibes coming out of the reception. We should not be bickering. Let us move forward for the love of our football.”

The Super Falcons were shown the exit door by England in the round of 16 of the World Cup through the penalty shootout.