After a 16-year absence at the Olympics, the Nigerian Super Falcons begin their 1st 2024 Olympics Game two weeks journey against Brazil on Thursday, July 25.
Nigerian football fans anticipate the greatest women’s football Olympics competition as Nigeria seek revenge after losing to Brazil 1-3 in their previous matchup at the 2008 Olympics.
With Brazil, Spain, and Japan in their challenging group, Nigeria will need to perform at their absolute best to advance to the knockout stages.
Nigeria did well enough in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to get to the knockout stages.
They overcame Australia and even kept England at bay until the penalty shoots.
Nigeria has not lost a competitive match since the World Cup, paving the way for their return to the Olympics.
Pulse Sports understands that with Nigeria and Brazil battling for supremacy at the Olympics, any team may make an impact, and many pundits believe that Nigeria’s Super Falcons would make things difficult for every side in Group C.
They defeated Australia in the World Cup and played out a draw against Canada and the Republic of Ireland only to fall to England on penalties.
Brazil has a history of winning Olympic medals, having taken home gold in 1996 and silver in 2004 and 2008.
Nigeria, nine-time African champions last competed in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in China in 2008.
The Falcons’ final results at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament were 0-1 against Korea Democratic People’s Republic, 0-1 against Germany, and 1-3 against Brazil, who went on to win the silver medal.
Nigeria’s most successful Women’s Olympic Football Tournament performance occurred in Athens 20 years ago, when the Super Falcons placed sixth after losing in the quarterfinals.
Preparing for the Olympics the Super Falcons lost to Canada in a friendly fixture.
The game between Nigeria and Brazil will take place at the Bordeaux Stadium, in France.
The game will kick off at 6 PM Nigerian time and will be available on Supersport.
Super Falcons of Nigeria Olympic 2024 team:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie, Tochukwu Oluehi.
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin, Michelle Alozie, Nicole Payne, Chidinma Okeke.
Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun, Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe, Jennifer Echegini, Toni Payne.
Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade, Esther Okoronkwo, Asisat Oshoala, Uchenna Kanu, Chiwendu Ihezuo, Chinonyerem Macleans.
Brazil’s Olympic 2024 team:
Goalkeepers: Lorena, Tainá
Defenders: Tarciane, Rafaelle, Thais Ferreira, Antônia, Tamires, Yasmin.
Midfielders: Ana Vitória, Duda Sampaio, Yayá.
Forwards: Adriana, Gabi Nunes, Gabi Portolho, Jheniffer, Kerolin, Marta, Ludmila.
