Ebi, Falcons weakest link, says team’s ex-coach, others

Mansur Abdullahi, a former Super Falcons assistant coach, has said that the team’s defence is its weakest area ahead of their Women’s World Cup Group B opener against Canada on Friday.

At Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, on Friday, the Falcons face the current Olympic champions.

According to Abdullahi, Onome Ebi, 40, is the Falcons defense’s weakest link.

Abdullahi thinks it is unacceptable that the nine-time African champions, led by Ebi, have only managed to keep three clean sheets in their last 12 games across all competitions.

“Our defence hasn’t been that tight in recent games. The defence is what worries me the most, Abdullahi said. How adaptable is Onome Ebi at the age of 40? She won’t be a good addition to the team, in my opinion.

But our best and most talented players, including Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Gift Monday, are in the attack. Although the offence appears to be strong, the team’s major World Cup failure may come from the defence.

Osasu Obayiuwana, a seasoned journalist, also questioned the selection of the former Levante Las Planas player for the squad.

“How can a player who is 40 years old, exhausted, and who hasn’t played club football in a full season, make the Falcons World Cup squad? On Twitter, Obayiuwana questioned how a coach could be proud of such a careless action.

Ebi’s inclusion, in the opinion of former Falcons coach Godwin Izilien, may hurt the team’s chances of having an impact at the competition.

Why must Onome be used in the Falcons when she is no longer having an effect on the team?

“Onome has no place on that squad. Our team has talented players. As you can imagine, Ebi was present when we won the championship in Johannesburg in 2004. Her quick reflexes are gone, and she can no longer run quickly.

“The World Cup is not an exhibition match. We have the players who can help us win titles, so we must strive to do so.