Nigeria captain, Onome Ebi has admitted that the fact that the Super Falcons stand a chance of making more money if they progress in the ongoing 2023 Women’s World Cup is a source of motivation.
The ongoing 2023 Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand features 32 teams for the first time in the history of the tournament. This means that teams that finish first and second in each group will progress to the round of 16.
Each player whose team qualifies for the round of 16, will get the sum of $60,000, and $90,000 for each player whose team makes it to the quarter-finals. While players of teams that exit the group stage will only earn $30,000 each.
Hence, ahead of the Super Falcons’ clash with the co-hosts of the tournament, Australia at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Onome Ebi insisted that the Nigerian team must beat their hosts.
After a 0-0 draw in the opening game against Canada, the Falcons’ prospects of making it to the round of 16 will increase with a victory over Australia on July 27.
On the other hand, Australia will have six points and almost certainly advance to the round of 16 if they beat Nigeria after beating the Republic of Ireland in their opening game.
“Much more than money, it is a matter of pride. Of course, we will like the money. However, Nigeria comes first. We were in the quarter-finals in 1999 and that is a long time ago; we want to work to go far in this tournament”, Onome Ebi told NFF.com.
“Last time, in France, we got to the round of 16. We are looking beyond the group stage here.”
The Falcons are the only African side with a point after the opening round of matches at the Women’s World Cup; other African representatives Zambia, South Africa, and Morocco all failed to earn any points from their opening games.
