By Daily Sports Nigeria on October 11, 2023

Former Super Falcons coach, Godwin Izilein, has applauded the decision to exclude captain Onome Ebi from the Super Falcons squad for this month’s Paris 2024 Olympics qualifier against Ethiopia, The PUNCH reports.

Izilien’s comments came after the NFF released the list of invited players for the crunch game against the Eastern Africans with Ebi one of the biggest omissions from the squad.

Ebi made history at the 2023 World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand after she became the oldest player to participate in the biggest women’s football showpiece in August.

The 40-year-old defender also became the first female or male African player to feature at six World Cups.

Following releasing the squad list for the qualification game against Ethiopia, Izilein, who guided the team to WAFCON glory in 2004, said he was glad with the NFF’s decision.

“This is the best decision because for how long do we continue to have Ebi in the team,” Izilein told The PUNCH.

“The decision to leave her out of the squad at least showed that they were listening to the voices of the people because she was no longer needed and useful in the team. We know the lifespan of women athletes, especially those playing football, which is a contact sport. How long did the likes of the late (Rashidi) Yekini spend playing football before quitting the national team?

“Well, it is a good omen for the team because it will at least give the younger players an opportunity in the team. Onome is already in her 40s and I think it is best that she quits the team now. I don’t know who has kept her in the Falcons team that long but we are happy that they are finally listening to us.”

Meanwhile, ex-Falcons captain, Stella Mbachu, said Ebi should not be forced out of the team.

“The talk about her (Ebi) stay in the national team is long overdue is not right, as long as she remains fit and still very active,” she told The PUNCH.

“I believe if she can continue to compete with the younger ones she should be allowed to remain, except the coach feels otherwise because I know that age means nothing as long as she still has the strength and can still give what the younger ones can’t.

“No one should force her to retire because her presence in the team is good for the younger ones. She will serve as a motivating factor to them and keep them on their feet because they know they need to work extra to beat her. People should stop saying she has overstayed her time in the team because even her experience is needed.”

Ashley Plumptre and Deborah Abiodun are the two other notable exclusions from the squad.

Ethiopia will host the first leg of the second-round fixture in Addis Ababa October 25, with the second leg in Nigeria six days later.

Source Punch Ng

Posted October 11, 2023

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