Onome Ebi signing will boost Naija Ratels’ winning mentality – Bankole Olowookere

By Wale Mustapha

Naija Ratels technical adviser Bankole Olowookere believes the signing of Nigeria captain Onome Ebi will boost the ranks and winning mentality of this side ahead of the Nigeria Women’s Football Premiership season.

The 40-year-old’s decision to join the Abuja based outfit marks her return to the Nigerian topflight league for the first time after 15 years of plying her trade abroad following her departure from Bayelsa Queens in 2008.

Having teamed up with Ratels after guiding Nigeria to a Round of 16 finish at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, coach

Olowookere admits Ebi’s arrival will be huge motivation and Inspiration to the younger players.

“The news, to the girls, has been encouraging, and for her it’s about the simplicity and humility for her to be able to come down to Naija Ratels,” the 2022 FIFA Women’s World Cup bronze winning coach told media.

“And then again, it is going to be a source of moral booster for the ladies in the team, for them to be able to see someone they have been seeing all their lives on TV or probably when they were in secondary school, for them to have the opportunity of training with her.

“It is going to be a morale booster and if they can tap from her wealth of experience, I think it would go a long way for them. We will try to blend her experience and the youthful strength in the team to achieve big things during the season.”