Sports
2023 WWC: Super Falcons won’t disappoint Nigerians again – Ebi

Super Falcons captain, Onome Ebi says the team wants to make a big impact at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The former African champions have attended all the previous editions of the World Cup.
The Super Falcons, who are Africa’s most successful side made it to the quarter-final once, at the 1999 edition hosted by the United States of America.
The West Africans were eliminated in the second round by Germany four years ago in France.
Randy Waldrum’s side faces a daunting task again with current Olympic champions, Canada, Australia and the Republic of Ireland in their group.
The Super Falcons finished in the fourth position at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations last year in Morocco.
Ebi, who will be making her sixth World Cup appearance in Australia and New Zealand said the team has high hopes going into the competition.
“Our ambition, definitely, is to do our best. We approach this World Cup with the mindset of performing to our utmost best and conquering. We had some disappointments at the last Africa Women’s Cup of Nations where we did not put the best performance,” the centre-back said in an interview with CAFOnline.
“We have the opportunity at the World Cup where we do not want to disappoint again. I have faith in my team and I like our current state of mind. The team is united and I believe we will be able to do great things at the World Cup. We are motivated and we want to hoist Nigeria’s flag to the highest point.
“The ball is in our court as players and we have to do everything to be on fire physically and mentally for this opportunity.”
The Super Falcons will take on Canada in their first game on Thursday.
Sports
FIFA unveils Trionda, the official ball of the 2026 World Cup
The ball, called Trionda, was again designed by German manufacturer Adidas, provider of the official World Cup balls since the 1970 tournament.

The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup match ball named Trionda is pictured during its unveiling event in New York on October 2, 2025. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)
FIFA has unveiled the official match ball for the 2026 World Cup, combining high-tech refinements and design details celebrating the three co-host countries — the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The ball, called Trionda, was again designed by German manufacturer Adidas, provider of the official World Cup balls since the 1970 tournament.
“I am delighted and proud to present the Trionda,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino as the ball was revealed at an event in New York on Thursday.
The first World Cup organized by three countries, with 48 teams competing, inspired both the name and the design of the ball featuring red, blue and green colors.
Iconography from each host nation — maple leaves from Canada, the eagle from Mexico and stars from the United States also feature, with a triangle referring to the unity of the three countries.
Sports
JUST IN: Haaland ranked 26th, van Dijk 28th in Ballon d’Or 2025 list

The build-up to the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony is officially underway as the organisers began unveiling the rankings on their official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday afternoon.
Kicking off the list at 30th place is Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, followed by Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen at 29th, and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk in 28th. Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice sits at 27th, while Manchester City’s Erling Haaland narrowly misses the top 25, landing in 26th place.
The partial list, also shared by football journalist Fabrizio Romano, has already ignited fan debates online, especially surrounding Olise’s placement. The French winger delivered an outstanding 2024–25 season for Bayern, registering 12 goals and 15 assists, making his relatively low ranking a point of contention.
The full top 30 list is expected to be released in stages throughout the day.
The Ballon d’Or 2025 ceremony is set to take place later today in Paris, where the world’s top footballer will be officially crowned.
Sports
Super Falcons Onome Ebi retires from football
Though I hang up my boots, my purpose in the game continues, to give back, to guide, and to be a voice for players.

Legendary Super Falcons defender, Onome Ebi, on Wednesday officially announced her retirement from professional football.
Her career spanned over two decades with Nigeria’s women’s national team.
Ebi announced her decision in a post on her X account: “Today, I officially retire from professional football. The journey has been filled with challenges, victories, and lessons that shaped me into who I am today.
“Though I hang up my boots, my purpose in the game continues, to give back, to guide, and to be a voice for players.”
Widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest female footballers, the 42-year-old centre-back boasts an illustrious record at both continental and global levels.
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