The Super Falcons lost their 2024 Olympics opener to Brazil, 1-0, in a closely contested match at Bordeaux Stadium in France on Thursday.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons made a long-awaited return to Olympic football after 16 years, but their Paris 2024 campaign began on a disappointing note with a 1-0 loss to Brazil in their opening match.
The game’s decisive moment came in the first half when Gabriela Nunes Da Silva unleashed a powerful strike, scoring the only goal of the match.
Randy Waldrum’s team started positively, with Chiwendu Ihezuo missing Nigeria’s best chance of the game. Despite their early attacking efforts, the Super Falcons found themselves playing catch-up throughout the encounter.
Nigeria had three significant chances in quick succession, the most notable involving Rasheedat Ajibade, who was Nigeria’s standout player. She beat her marker and crossed to Ihezuo, whose header was saved by Brazil’s goalkeeper.
Ihezuo, who was given a starting spot based on the recommendation of a Nigerian football legend, had the opportunity to score but couldn’t capitalize. After these moments, Brazil took control of the game, eventually securing another victory over Nigeria.
This result extends Brazil’s unbeaten streak against Nigeria to four matches, highlighting the Super Falcons’ ongoing struggles against the Samba Girls.
The loss marks a tough start for Randy Waldrum’s team, who are in a challenging Group C alongside reigning world champions Spain and Asian powerhouse Japan.
The match was reminiscent of their previous Olympic encounter in Beijing 2008, which was also Nigeria’s last appearance in the tournament. In that game, Brazil won 3-1. Another notable clash occurred in the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where Brazil emerged victorious in a thrilling 4-3 extra-time battle.
Despite this setback, the Super Falcons entered the tournament with determination and seeking redemption. They will need to regroup quickly with crucial matches against Spain and Japan ahead. Positive results in these games are essential to keep their hopes of advancing from this tough group alive.
The narrow defeat suggests that the Super Falcons were competitive against a strong Brazilian side, offering some encouragement as they prepare for the remaining group-stage matches in their quest for Olympic success.
