CAPTAIN of the Super Falcons, Onome Ebi, is on track to surpass Christie Pearce, the former captain of the United States Women’s National Team, as the oldest participant in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
On Monday, May 8, the well-travelled footballer turned 40 and is looking forward to breaking a global record this summer. Ebi has already made history as the first male or female African football player to compete in five World Cup competitions (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019).
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Australia and New Zealand will co-host the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup which is scheduled to take place from July 20 to August 20.
The Falcons, who are placed in Group B with the Olympic champions Canada, co-hosts Australia, and the Republic of Ireland, will attempt to improve on their performance from the previous competition, in which they were eliminated by France in the round of 16.
Happy 40th birthday to Super Falcons veteran Onome Ebi.
This woman has given blood, sweat and tears to the Nigeria Women's National Team over the years. The first African footballer to play in five World Cups (soon to be six). 💪🏾@EBIONOME you're a star! Keep shinning! ❤️💪🏾🙌🏽🤗 pic.twitter.com/WH6az8d3eu
— Biola Solace-Chukwu (@Beeorlicious) May 8, 2023
If Ebi features for coach Randy Waldrum led team, the World Cup will be a record-equaling competition for her as she will be the oldest player to compete.
At the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Pearce who was 40 years and 11 days old played for the United States against Japan, coming on as a substitute in the 86th minute.
Nigeria will take on The Les Rouges of Canada in their opening game on July 21, 2023, and Ebi would be 40 years and 73 days by that time, thus surpassing Pearce’s eight-year record.
Ebi will play her sixth Women’s World Cup in 2023, making her the first African to reach the milestone. She made her Super Falcons debut in 2003, and since then, the defender has played more than 100 matches and won four WAFCON championships.
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