FIFA WWC: Fireworks Expected As S’ Falcons Vow To Surprise Australia – Ebi

• Super Falcons captain Onome Ebi has reiterated the team’s desire to earn maximum points against Australia
• The 40-year-old defender believes the nine-time African champions have no reason to reveal their game plan, but they will undoubtedly surprise the Matildas
• Nigeria is the only African team to have earned a point after the first round of matches, with Zambia, South Africa, and Morocco all being denied a point by their respective opponents

Onome Ebi, captain of the Super Falcons, has reiterated the team’s desire to earn maximum points against Australia when they meet on Thursday in the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The 40-year-old defender believes the nine-time African champions have no reason to reveal their game plan, but they will undoubtedly surprise the Matildas.

It is interesting that they have an idea of how to play us. We also have our own idea of how to play them. It is a very crucial game for us and we will throw everything we have into it.

It is very important to us to collect the three points on Thursday. That will put us in a great position before we play the Irish, she said.

Speaking to the media further, Ebi stated that the Falcons want to earn more money in the tournament, with $60,000 going to each player whose team advances to the Round of 16 and $90,000 going to any team that advances to the quarter-finals. Players on teams that fail to advance from the group stage will only receive $30,000 each.

Much more than money, it is a matter of pride. Of course, we will like the money. However, Nigeria comes first. We were in the quarter-finals in 1999 and that is a long time ago; we want to work to go far in this tournament. Last time, in France, we got to the Round of 16. We are looking beyond the group stage here, said the veteran who is attending her sixth World Cup finals and could play her 15th match of the finals on Thursday.   

Nigeria is the only African team to have earned a point after the first round of matches, with Zambia, South Africa, and Morocco all being denied a point by their respective opponents.

Australia leads Group B after the first round of matches, with three points, followed by Nigeria and Canada, both with one point.

Following Friday’s draw with Canada in Melbourne, the Falcons returned to training on Sunday evening after a weekend off and also trained on Monday evening at the match time (8pm).