Captain of the Super Falcons of Nigeria, Onome Ebi has denied report making the rounds that the entire team planned to boycott their FIFA Women’s World Cup opener against Canada to press home their demands.
The report of the planned boycott had circulated in some Nigerian dailies after the players raised alarm over the cancellation of match bonuses by NFF as well as 30 percent of the $1,560,000 FIFA grant to all member associations for the group stage of the competition since they will be getting USD30, 000 as an appearance fee from FIFA.
“I have no idea where that (boycott) is coming from. We (the players) never had any such conversations as regards that; we are good with training and ready for the World Cup,” Ebi told thenff.com at the team’s training camp in Gold Coast, Australia on Saturday morning.
The hard-as-nails defender, who is featuring in her sixth FIFA World Cup finals, added that the team’s training sessions have been intense but interesting, as they look forward to their Group B encounters against Olympic champions Canada, co-hosts Australia and debutants Republic of Ireland.
“The sessions have been intense, motivating, and okay. The girls are in good shape, in good spirits and ready to go. The training speaks for itself as regards the mood in camp because this is what I bargained for.
“The players are meeting up with physical and tactical aspects of training; the mood is okay.”
