Onome Ebi: I’m Determined to Help Grow Beach Soccer and Futsal in Nigeria

Former Nigerian captain Onome Ebi has described her appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) Beach Soccer and Futsal Interim Board as a great honour, pledging to use her experience to contribute to the development of both disciplines in Nigeria.

Ebi, who spent more than two decades representing Nigeria at the highest level, said the appointment demonstrates that the NFF continues to value her experience and believes she can make meaningful contributions beyond her playing career.

“I feel honoured, humbled and very happy to have been considered for this appointment. For me, it means a lot that the Nigeria Football Federation recognises my experience and believes that I can still contribute to the development of football beyond my playing career,” Ebi said.

The former international, however, admitted that beach soccer and futsal are not her areas of primary expertise.

Ebi explained that while she has participated in both disciplines recreationally, she has never played either professionally. She therefore sees her new role as an opportunity to contribute while learning from specialists in the two sports.

“I want to be honest that beach soccer and futsal are not my primary areas of expertise. My background is in the traditional game of football, where I spent more than two decades representing Nigeria at the highest level,” she said.

“I am willing to listen, learn the technical and regulatory aspects of both games, work with the experts around me, and do my very best to help create awareness and develop these two disciplines in Nigeria.”

Ebi said her immediate priority is to understand the board’s mandate and work with other members to establish stronger structures for beach soccer and futsal.

The former Super Falcons captain believes her extensive experience as an international player and professional gives her a valuable perspective on player development, leadership and athlete welfare.

“I understand what players need, the challenges athletes face, the importance of proper structures, development pathways, good leadership and creating an environment where players can thrive,” she said.

“I also bring a player’s perspective to the table. Having been on the pitch for so many years, I understand the game from the athlete’s point of view, and I believe that perspective is important when making decisions that affect players.”

The 43-year-old also highlighted her recent educational achievements as important preparations for life after playing.

Ebi recently completed the FIFA Players Executive Programme in football administration and obtained a USSF C coaching licence in the United States.

She said the qualifications have broadened her knowledge of football leadership, governance, player development, coaching and administration.

“The FIFA Players Executive Programme gave me exposure to football administration, leadership, strategy, governance and how football organisations can be structured and developed more effectively,” she explained.

“My USSF C coaching licence has also been very important because it has allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of coaching, player development, training methodology and the importance of being a player-centred coach.”

According to Ebi, moving from playing football to administration requires an entirely different mindset.

“On the pitch, you are thinking about performance, your teammates, the opposition and what you need to do to win. In the boardroom, the thinking is much broader. You have to consider strategy, governance, finances, structures, stakeholders, long-term development and how decisions affect the entire football ecosystem,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of continuous education for former players seeking to remain influential in football after retirement.

“Your playing experience gives you a foundation, but you must continue educating yourself if you want to become effective in football administration,” she said.

Ebi added that she remains open to pursuing both coaching and administration as she begins the next chapter of her career.

“Retirement from playing does not mean retirement from football,” she said. “I am still very much involved in the game. I am studying, taking coaching courses, learning about administration, building new relationships and looking for ways to contribute to the next generation.”

Asked if she could return to playing beach soccer, Ebi refused to completely rule out the possibility.

“I would never say never when it comes to football!” she said with a laugh.

She noted that she has previously played beach soccer recreationally and also gained some exposure to the discipline through her former club, FK Minsk, which has links to beach soccer.

However, she stressed that her immediate focus remains on administration, leadership and coaching development rather than a return to competitive football.

Ebi also outlined her vision for the growth of women’s beach soccer in Nigeria, insisting that the country has the talent and football culture to become a continental leader.

She believes the process should begin with increased awareness and structured opportunities for girls and women to participate in the sport.

“The first step is awareness. We need to introduce more girls and women to beach soccer and create structured competitions where they can play regularly,” she said.

She identified schools, academies, grassroots programmes, clubs and state football associations as key stakeholders in building a sustainable pathway for the sport.

Ebi also called for the establishment of proper leagues and tournaments, alongside coaching education, refereeing development and talent identification programmes specifically focused on women’s beach soccer.

“Nigeria should not wait for a Women’s Beach Soccer World Cup to be announced before we start preparing. We should start building now,” she said.

“If we can create a proper pathway from grassroots to state level, national competitions and eventually the national team, Nigeria can position itself as one of the leaders of women’s beach soccer in Africa.”