In a journey that spans continents, trials, and triumphs, Abebi follows the life of Abebi Ngom as she rises through personal heartbreak to international football fame as a Matilda.
Abebi’s family embarks on a perilous journey from Africa, hoping for a fresh start in Australia.
However, the family’s newfound freedom quickly tests their resolve when Abebi’s mother, Adenike, is taken from them in a brutal attack.
This story of survival, courage, and an unbreakable spirit propels Abebi forward, guided by her mother’s strength and values.
Abebi’s rise as a football player pushes through every obstacle, including an ACL injury that temporarily sidelines her but cannot extinguish her determination. When she is ultimately called up to the Matildas to play in the 2023 World Cup co-hosted by Australia, she stands as a symbol of resilience and hope.
Yet Abebi isn’t just a story of ‘girl makes good on the football field’.
Abebi’s newfound fame and platform lead her back to painful memories and unfinished business, including an encounter with the man responsible for her mother’s death.
As the World Cup approaches, Abebi’s family is once again tested as the past is confronted, putting Abebi’s beliefs, values, and courage to the ultimate test.
Abebi offers readers a powerful exploration of family, forgiveness, and the unyielding pursuit of dreams. As Abebi steps onto the world stage at the World Cup, she realises her family’s journey and her mother’s legacy have prepared her for this moment.
Abebi is the sixth unashamed football novel from fiction writer Texi Smith and the second to profile a young woman footballer as the protagonist, following the best-selling Anna Black—This Girl Can Play, published in 2021.
It is available from us, all good bookstores, and usual online outlets for $24.99 (paperback) or as an e-book.