Prior to their Women’s World Cup Group B opener against Canada on Friday, former Super Falcons assistant coach Mansur Abdullahi identified the defence as the team’s weakest link.
At Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, the Falcons take on the defending Olympic champions on Friday.
Onome Ebi, 40, is the Falcons defense’s weakest link, according to Abdullahi.
In their last 12 games across all competitions, the nine-time African champions, led by Ebi, have only managed to keep three clean sheets, according to Abdullahi, which is insufficient.
“In recent games, we haven’t been that tight at the back. The defence is my biggest concern,” Abdullahi said. “Onome Ebi, at 40, how adaptable is she? She won’t be able to complete the team, in my opinion.
But Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Gift Monday are among our talented and elite players in the attack. Although the offense appears to be strong, the defense could be the team’s biggest World Cup mistake.
Additionally, veteran journalist Osasu Obayiuwana questioned the selection of the former Levante Las Planas player for the team.
“How can a 40-year-old player make the Falcons World Cup squad when he is exhausted and hasn’t played club football in a full season? How can a coach be happy with such a careless choice? Obayiuwana asked on Twitter.
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Godwin Izilien, a former Falcons coach, agrees that having Ebi on the team may reduce its chances of having a positive tournament performance.
“Why do we need to keep using Onome for the Falcons when she is no longer contributing to the team?”
“Onome doesn’t belong on that team. We have talented players on our team. As you can imagine, Ebi was there in Johannesburg in 2004 when we won the championship. She can no longer run quickly and her reflexes have completely disappeared.
“A ceremonial match is not what the World Cup is. We must strive to win championships, and we have the players to do so.
