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‘Nigeria catches talents old' - Ebi bemoans lack of opportunities for women's footballers

Nigeria defender Onome Ebi claims the country is only able to identify talented players later in their development due to the lack of grassroots development for women's football.

Ebi became the first African player to play in five Women World Cup tournaments in France last summer, having featured in the 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 editions.

The centre-back started football at a young age on the streets of Lagos and enjoyed her formative years at Omidiran Babes and Bayelsa Queens in Nigeria before moving abroad in 2009.

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The veteran, who got warm messages from Fifa, Caf and the NFF on her 37th birthday last week, opened up on the lack of opportunities for women's footballers in the West African nation, particularly in their teens.