‘The ball is in our court’ – Onome Ebi on Nigeria’s Women’s World Cup ambition

Captain of the Nigeria women’s national team, Onome Ebi has revealed the mission of the Super Falcons team ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand later this year.

The 39-year-old is the first African (male or female) to play in five FIFA World Cups after featuring in 2003, 2007, 2011,2015, and 2019 editions of the Women’s World Cup tournament.

The longest-serving Nigerian defender who is now set to become the oldest player in history to feature in this year’s competition was on target when they faced New Zealand recently in a friendly match.

Nigeria have been drawn into Group B where they will battle against Canada, Ireland, and hosts Australia, and veteran defender is upbeat about her team’s chances at the tournament.

“Our ambition is to do our best. We approach this World Cup with the mindset of performing to our utmost best and conquering,” Ebi told CAFOnline.com.

“We had some disappointments at the last  Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) where we did not put in the best performance. We have the opportunity at the World Cup where we do not want to disappoint again.

“I have faith in my team and I like our current state of mind. The team is united and I believe we will be able to do great things at the World Cup. We are motivated and we want to hoist Nigeria’s flag to the highest point.

“The ball is in our court as players and we have to do everything to be on fire physically and mentally for this opportunity.”