The world continues to anticipate, arguably, this summer’s biggest event as the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup draws closer.
This edition of Women’s World Cup is slated to be the biggest ever in the history of the competition, as 32 teams are expected to battle it out in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20.
One of the participating nations is Nigeria. The West Africans, nicknamed the Super Falcons, are captained by an experienced Onome Ebi who is 40 years old.
Ebi is the first African footballer to appear in five World Cup tournaments and she is set to make more history as she prepares for her sixth event with the aim of embossing her name in the world and African women’s football folklore.
The legendary Ebi ✨
The first African woman to play in 5 #FIFAWWC tournaments.
See you soon for the 6th time @EBIONOME ????#EmpoweringOurGame | @NGSuper_Falcons pic.twitter.com/XfisrkJCI3
— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) June 22, 2023
Ebi made her debut for the Super Falcons in 2003 and has represented Nigeria in numerous events, including six appearances at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations and emerging as champion on four occasions.
Her longevity and consistent performances have made her a key figure in Nigerian women’s football and African football, in general.
The 40-year-old’s defensive skills and versatility as a centre-back and leader of the team have made her a unicorn and an ever-present in Randy Waldrum’s Super Falcons team.
Nigeria kick off their participation in the 2023 Women’s World Cup on July 21 against Canada, and when the ball is set in motion at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Australia, Ebi’s immortality in women’s football will be further sealed as she goes on to become the fourth woman in the history of the game to have at least played in six Mundials.
She will join the hallowed ranks that include the Brazilian duo of Miraildes ‘Formiga’ Mota (7 appearances) and Marta da Silva (6 appearances) and Japan’s Homare Sawa (6 appearances).
