Super Falcons skipper, Onome Ebi has warned Nigeria’s next opponents, Australia to expect mother of all shock when both country lock horns on Thursday at the ongoing FIFA Women World Cup.
Reacting to Matildas’ defender, Charlie Grant’s comments that the Aussies have a good idea of how to cage the Super Falcon, Onome maintained that the Aussies should not expect a walk in the park performance when they face Nigeria.
She posted that the nine-time African champions have no reason to reveal their strategy for the game, but they would certainly 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.
For the Matildas, victory will take them to six points and all but guarantee a place in the Round of 16, ahead of their much-anticipated clash with Olympic champions Canada.
With the championship hosting 32 teams, it means only two top-placed teams in each will make progress to the knock-out rounds, where more cash is available for the players. Ebi said the Falcons also want to earn more money in the tournament, with the sum of $60,000 to go to each player whose team attains the Round of 16, and $90,000 for any team that gets to the quarter finals. Players of teams that exit the group stage will only earn $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.
