Veteran Player Ebi Returns to National Team for Pre-World Cup Matches at Waldrum’s Request

Nigeria’s senior women’s football team, the Super Falcons, have been invited to play two friendly matches against Jamaica and Portugal in June as part of their preparation for the 2022 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The head coach, Randy Waldrum, has added veteran player Onome Ebi to the Super Falcons squad for the upcoming matches. The defender was last included in the team during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

Who is Onome Ebi?

Onome Ebi is a Nigerian professional football player who currently plays for Henan Huishang in the Chinese Women’s Super League. Ebi has previously played for other clubs such as Bayelsa Queens, Rivers Angels, PK-35 Vantaa, Piteå IF, and Shanghai Shengli.

Her first international tournament was the 2003 All-Africa Games hosted in Abuja, Nigeria. She has since appeared in numerous international tournaments for the Super Falcons including the African Women’s Cup of Nations and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Return of Ebi

Ebi’s return to the national team came as a surprise to many as the defender had not been included in the Super Falcons squad since the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Coach Waldrum confirmed that he had requested for Ebi’s return for the upcoming friendlies after seeing her impressive performances for her Chinese clubside.

Despite being 38 years old, Ebi remains one of the most experienced defenders for Nigeria and has proved to be a pivotal figure in the Super Falcons defense. Her inclusion will provide the team with much-needed stability and experience ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers.

Preparing for the World Cup

The Super Falcons have been drawn in Group A of the World Cup Qualifiers alongside Ghana, Guinea, and Mali. Nigeria are the clear favorites to progress to the next round, but Coach Waldrum is not taking any chances.

The two friendly matches against Jamaica and Portugal will provide an opportunity for the Super Falcons to test their squad and fine-tune their tactics ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers. Coach Waldrum is confident that with Ebi’s inclusion, the Super Falcons have a good chance of qualifying for the World Cup.

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Summary: Onome Ebi, a veteran player for Nigeria’s Super Falcons, has been added to the team for the upcoming friendlies against Jamaica and Portugal. Coach Randy Waldrum requested for her inclusion after seeing her impressive performances for her Chinese clubside. Ebi’s inclusion provides the team with much-needed experience and stability ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers, where Nigeria are the clear favorites to progress. #SPORT