Nigeria's Super Falcons return to the Olympic stage in Paris, aiming to rewrite their Olympic narrative. With a blend of experience and youthful exuberance, the team faces a demanding group stage and a determined coach hungry for success.
Afrik-Foot takes a closer look at the Super Falcons' journey to Paris and the challenges that lie ahead.
Super Falcons' Olympics record
Previous appearances in finals: (3) 2000, 2004, and 2008.
Best performance: Quarterfinals: 2004
Coach: Randy Waldrum
Waldrum's time with the Super Falcons has been a mixed bag. Salary delays and the team's poor showing at the 2022 WAFCON led to fan discontent. However, a more positive performance at the 2023 World Cup offered a ray of hope. With his coaching experience (Trinidad & Tobago, Houston Dash, Tulsa), Waldrum's future hinges on resolving financial issues and regaining the fans' trust.
Key player: Asisat Oshoala
The Nigerian striker, a modern-day icon in women's football, boasts a trophy cabinet overflowing with accolades. She's dazzled in FIFA Women's World Cup matches, illuminated the UEFA Champions League finals, and spearheaded her teams to numerous championship victories.
However, one piece of the puzzle remains incomplete: Olympic glory. Oshoala, a record six-time Women's African Player of the Year, has yet to grace the Olympic stage. That's about to change in Paris 2024.
With 37 goals in 61 appearances for the Super Falcons, Oshoala is a proven goal-scorer and a natural leader. She'll be at the forefront of Nigeria's Olympic campaign, aiming to inspire her team and etch her name in Olympic history.
FIFA World Ranking (June 2024): 36th
Group
Drawn in Group C with Brazil, Spain, and Japan.
How they qualified for the 2024 Olympics
Nigeria's women's national football team, the Super Falcons, booked their place at the 2024 Olympics in Paris after a hard-fought qualifying campaign. The journey began on February 23rd, 2024, with a challenging away fixture against Cameroon in Douala. The opening match ended in a goalless draw, highlighting the defensive resilience of both sides.
Returning home for the second leg on February 26th, the Super Falcons emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win. This vital home advantage secured their progression to the next round of qualifying.
On April 5th, Nigeria faced another tough opponent in South Africa. Again, a solitary goal at the Abuja National Stadium proved to be enough for the Super Falcons to claim a crucial lead in the two-legged tie.
The away leg in Pretoria on April 9th saw a more defensive display from the Nigerians. They held firm against a determined South African side to secure a 0-0 draw and a 1-0 aggregate victory. This result confirmed their qualification for the Olympic Games, marking their fourth appearance in the women's football tournament.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France – 23); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia – 37)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca Club de Futbol, Mexico – 32); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France – 22); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA – 27); Nicole Payne (Portland Thorns FC, USA – 23); Chidinma Okeke (Mynavi Sendai Ladies, Japan – 23)
Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA – 20) Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosengard, Sweden – 29); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal – 23); Jennifer Echegini (Juventus Ladies, Italy – 23); Toni Payne (Unattached – 29)
Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain – 24); Esther Okoronkwo (Changchun FC, China – 27); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA – 29); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA – 27); Chiwendu Ihezuo (Pachuca Club de Futbol, Mexico – 27); Chinonyerem Macleans (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia – 24)
Alternate Players: Jumoke Alani (Nasarawa Amazons – 18); Ifeoma Onumonu (Utah Royals, USA – 30); Gift Monday (Costa Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain – 22); Morufa Ademola (Rivers Angels)
