Super Falcons

Super Falcons’ defender, Onome Ebi, arrived the team’s camp on Sunday night from her base in Turkey, in continuation of preparations for the African Women’s Championship scheduled to hold in Equatorial Guinea later this month.

Ebi, who is playing professional football with Atesihir Belediyesi FC as a defender, arrived at the Serob Legacy camp in Abuja at about 10pm and immediately joined the team in training Monday morning.

“I am so excited to join my team mates in camp. They have been in camp for a month and I have been looking forward to joining them. It is a very great feeling and I am ready to get to work,” said the Falcons defender.

The defender whose team is champions of the women’s league in Turkey expressed delight at being part of the training session, saying that the exercise, though physically demanding, was motivational.

“My first training was awesome. It was very physically challenging, like I expected, but it was a great feeling. I was very motivated and impressed.

“It is always tough when I come home to train in Nigeria because the level is very high. The technical drills, the fitness part and everything, I really enjoyed.”

Ebi was part of the 2008 team that failed to win the AWC title in Equatorial Guinea, when the Falcons were defeated by the host nation 1-0 in the semi-final. They went on to finish in third place after defeating Cameroun on penalty shoot outs in the third-placed playoffs.

The Falcons went on to reclaim the title in South Africa 2010, defeating Equatorial Guinea on their way to lifting the trophy for a record 6th time.

Also in camp are Kazakhstan-based duo of Emueje Oghiabehva (CSHVSM Kairat) and Ifeanyi Chiejile (BIK), bringing the total number of foreign-based players in camp to three.

Perpetua Nkwocha, Rita Chikwelu, Helen Ukaonu, Faith Ikidi and Ogonna Chukwudi are all expected to join the team Wednesday.

The AWC will take place in Equatorial Guinea starting on October 28 through November 11.