Super Falcons captain Onome Ebi has linked up with Nigeria Women’s Football League outfit Naija Ratels.
Ebi joined the Lagos-based club on a free transfer.
The 40-year-old was in the books of Spanish Iberdola side Levante Las Planas last season.
The experienced centre-back has been assigned jersey number 5 by her new club.
Ebi is making a return to the NWFL after stint with Bayelsa Queens 15 years ago.
The defender previously played for clubs in Sweden, Turkey, Belarus, China and Spain.
Ebi has made 109 appearances for Nigeria’s Super Falcons and scored three times.
On why she joined Naija Ratels, Onome said, “My joining Naija Ratels is about more than just playing football. It’s about inspiring young, aspiring female players from the grassroots level, encouraging them to believe that, just as I dared to dream, they too can make history. This is particularly important in an environment where women have to put in double the effort to achieve success.
“I firmly believe that my journey won’t be complete if I don’t fulfill the goal of giving back to the Nigerian league that nurtured me and paved my path to stardom. As a young girl, I never had the opportunity to see or train with legendary figures like Florence Omagbemi, who were my idols. Today, I stand as a legend, thriving in a sport that is considered one of the most challenging for women in our country.
“By joining Naija Ratels FC, a team filled with talented young players, I aim to share my story of success and serve as a source of inspiration for young female athletes not only in Nigeria but across Africa. I believe that if I were to retire now, as some critics have suggested, without first making a meaningful impact on the Nigeria Women Football League, my journey would remain incomplete.”