***Exonerates NFF Scribe, Sanusi
By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Super Falcons captain Onome Ebi has described the trending story that many members of Nigeria’s senior women’s football team were excluded from the delegation hosted by Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of Federal Republic of Nigeria at Precedential Villa, Abuja during the week as a lie from the pit of hell.
This is even as she has exonerated the General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi from any blame for none appearance of many players for the Presidential Reception held at the First Lady’s Wing of Aso Rock Villa earlier this week.
Speaking exclusively to PROMPT NEWS on Friday, Ebi who was one of the Super Falcons players who honoured the Presidential invitation in Abuja, insists that all the 23 Super Falcons players, coaching crew and backroom staff were duly informed of the Villa reception but many gave excuses for their absence.
Said she: “Sir, I must say that I, as the Captain of the team (Super Falcons), passed the information relayed to me by the Team Secretary (Mrs Mary Obodoku) that the Presidency want to host us on our return to Nigeria. I informed everyone right there in Brisbane, Australia.
“But many told me that they will be joining their clubs for the Pre-season training straight from Australia while others gave us excuse that they have family issues to attend at the same period and would not attend the reception.”
Speaking further Ebi said other players gave reasons that their visas have expired and will be going to the embassy for renewal in Abuja, hence, they will not be available.
Captain Ebi who attended the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals for the 5th time in her illustrious football career said she was not aware any player indicated interest to attend the reception in Abuja but was shut out by the NFF because she was in contact with all the players both in Australia and in Nigeria.
On the allegation that the NFF scribe may have compiled the list of attendees to the First Lady’s reception, Ebi said that was news to her as she and Team Secretary were in contact with all the players begging them to attend but just three showed up.
According to the former Omidiran Babes FC of Oshogbo skipper even some of the players who earlier indicated interest after much persuasion to attend the event chickened out at the last minute.
“I don’t want to believe that Dr. Sanusi drew up the list of those to attend the Presidential Villa Reception. The invitation to the team was made open for the team members to attend but only few turned up. That is what I know about it. I don’t know the source of the negative vibes coming out of the reception. We should not be bickering. Let us move forward for the love of our football”, Ebi admonished. READ ALSO:
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Recall that on Monday the wife of the President, Oluremi Tinubu; wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, wife of the Senate President, Ekaette Akpabio, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau; NFF 1st VP, Felix Anyansi-Agwu and the NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, with Falcons captain Onome Ebi, Christy Ucheibe and Tochukwu Oluehi on behalf of Super Falcons attended a Precedential Reception at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
But after the news and photographs of the event surfaced, top officials of the federation started receiving media attacks over the inability of the entire team to honour the invitation.
