Falcons want more money, admits hungry Ebi

<p>Nigeria captain, Onome Ebi, says the nine-time African champions have no reason lose against Australia on Thursday as they seek more money from the tournament, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.</p>, <p>Ebi who aims to play a part in the encounter having missed out in the goalless draw with Canada, added that the Falcons will play more adventurously against the Matildas at the Lang Park.</p>, <p>“It is interesting that they have an idea of how to play us,”Ebi told thenff.com.</p>, <p>“We also have our own idea of how to play them (Australia). It is a very crucial game for us and we will throw everything we have into it.</p>, <p>“It is very important to us to collect the three points on Thursday. That will put us in a great position before we play the Irish.”</p>, <p>With the championship hosting 32 teams, it means only two top-placed teams in each will make progress to the knock-out rounds, where more cash is available for the players.</p>, <p>Ebi said the Falcons also want to earn more money in the tournament, with the sum of $60,000 to go to each player whose team attains the round of 16, and $90,000 for any team that gets to the quarter finals. Players of teams that exit the group stage will only earn $30,000 each.</p>, <p>“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.</p>, <p>“Last time, in France, we got to the round of 16. We are looking beyond the group stage here,” Ebi stated.</p>, <p>A win for the Falcons will boost their chances of qualifying for the round of 16 – a feat they reached at the last edition in France.</p>, <p>For Australia, victory will take them to six points and all but guarantee a place in the round of 16, ahead of their much-anticipated clash with Olympic champions Canada.</p>, <p>The Falcons are the only African team to have earned a point at the Women’s World Cup after their first round of matches, with other fla