Newly unveiled Naija Ratels FC player, now captain, Onome Ebi, has continued to express her joy in returning home to retire in the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL).
The record-breaking skipper who has participated in six FIFA Women’s World Cups was unveiled at a colourful ceremony on Saturday in Abuja by the management of Naija Ratels.
Having not played any club matches since 2022 and with five international appearances with Randy Waldrum’s Super Falcons, Ebi has decided to give back to the girl-child from her wealth of experiences.
Ebi’s football career has seen her demonstrate her prowess on the field while representing clubs in various countries, including Sweden, Turkey, Belarus, China, and Spain.
The 40-year-old defender who captained the Super Falcons at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand said she is fulfilled to return to the home league, after more than a decade abroad.
“After almost 13 years of playing football outside the shores of Nigeria, I have come to realize that one of the best decisions I’ve ever made is coming back to play in the Nigerian Women’s Football League. I’m feeling extremely happy,” she wrote on her Facebook page.
“The slogan of my new team is ‘One Day At A Time’. Here I am, fulfilling my lifelong dream of coming back to play in the Nigerian League one day at a time, and it is all adding up gradually.
“My desire to beam the light on young girls is being fulfilled effortlessly. For the first time in my life, I feel fulfilled that I’m bringing all that I’ve ever achieved as a footballer back to where it all started, back to the Nigerian league.
“I’m fulfilling my lifelong dream of being a part of another young girl’s life, an opportunity I never had with my football idols like Florence Omagbemi and many others whom I would have loved to train with, take pictures with, and play in the same league with them.
“The calls and messages have confirmed that my decision was received with open arms across the globe.
“My lifelong dream of giving back to our own league where I played for 10 good years before travelling is finally being achieved.
“Seeing the joy on the faces of these young ladies who want to be like me is very reassuring.
“Certainly, this is just the starting point for me and the beginning of greater things in my quest to change the narrative in the women’s league in Nigeria.
“In addition to the value my presence is adding to Naija Ratels players, my ultimate goal is to make my presence felt by players in other teams🤗. The joy in my heart is priceless ♥️😊”
MOLATsportgist 