Super Falcons skipper Onome Ebi denies World Cup boycott reports

Super Falcons of Nigeria skipper Onome Ebi has denied reports the team is planning a boycott of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup opening game vs Canada.

Nigeria’s preparations for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand has been ridden with controversy, the latest unverified stories the team will boycott the game vs Canada on July 21 in Melbourne.

Speaking with NFF.TV , Onome Ebi said those reports were false as the team never held such conversations as they continue training in Australia ahead of the tournament.

“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.

On their training sessions ahead of the tournament kickoff, the veteran defender who will be making her sixth FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance said they were intense and interesting.

“The sessions have been intense, motivating and okay,” she added.

” The girls are in good shape, good spirit 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.”

Nigeria will face Canada, Australia and the Republic of Ireland in group A of the first ever 32-team FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament.

Super Falcons group opponents Australia and debutants Republic of Ireland in the opening game scheduled for July 20, 2023 in Australia.