Word Cup Record Holder Onome 'Mama' Ebi Reveals 'Falling Sick' To Play Football

Word Cup Record Holder Onome 'Mama' Ebi Reveals 'Falling Sick' To Play Football 

By Gbenga Gboyega

Super Falcons Skipper and six-time FIFA World Cup participant - Onome Ebi commonly called 'Mama Ebi' by teammates has revealed the background to her football career, including falling sick to get her father's approval to follow her passion, BSNsports.com.ng can report.

Speaking with FIFA+ TV, the veteran defender opened up on her background and love for the beautiful game.

"I lived in a city called Ajegunle in Lagos, and you have to be really committed to achieving what you want in that city because it's tough there. 

"When I was in school, I do sneak out to go play football. Sometimes we just had to do what was necessary to play football including jumping over the fence," she said with giggles.

The 40-year-old who plies her club football trade in the Spanish Liga Femenino Division with La Planas Women, revealed a moment in her childhood when she missed attending a competition citing daddy's permission.

"There was a competition that I was supposed to go to, and my dad said 'No, you're not going, I'm not supporting you.' I felt sick.

"When I went to the hospital, I was there for four days. The doctor called my parents and told them something is wrong with me, that they should talk to me. 

"My dad just understood that it's because of football. So, he came to me in the hospital and told me 'Okay, I will let you play, just promise me you'll combine schooling and football,' which I did.

"In my head, I just wanted to play football, I never knew I will get paid doing what I loved to do more."

On her nickname by teammates, Onome explained how "Mama" was added to her identity with the Super Falcons following 'twenty years' of international service. 

"They call me 'Mama Onome', like the mother of the team. And I embrace that with love and everything. 

"We're known as the African giant, and I think we've set that standard in Africa that no other team can break. 

"Although African teams are coming up fast at the moment, Nigeria remains the greatest team and the giant of the continent.

"I don't think any other team can take that stride from us, because as they are developing, so are we. We are not sleeping," she concluded.

Onome who played for Omidiran Babes and Bayelsa Queens on home turf in the early 2000s, extended her FIFA World Cup record as the only African player (Male or Female) to feature in six consecutive Mundial when she came in for Antoinette Payne in the 90th minute against Australia at the ongoing tournament.

She had previously set the record in 2019 as the first African player to feature in five World Cups.