Nigeria forward Gift Monday has urged fans to stay positive despite a seemingly daunting group stage draw for the upcoming Summer Olympics women's football tournament.
The Super Falcons were placed in Group C alongside Brazil, Japan, and Spain, dubbed the ‘group of death' by some football enthusiasts. However, Monday remains confident in Nigeria's ability to compete at the highest level.
“The group Nigeria is in, I don't think it's easy,” Monday told Afrik-Foot. “But I know we're equal to the task, because nobody is unbeatable.”
The 22-year-old FC Robo graduate and Unión Deportiva Tenerife star stressed the importance of maintaining a positive outlook: “No matter the opponent they bring to us, I believe Nigeria is just equal to the task. It's not an easy group but we are equal to the task.”
Super Falcons’ World Cup run offers hope for 2024 Olympics
Monday's confidence is understandable. While Nigeria are the lowest-ranked nation in Group C, they boast an impressive recent record.
At the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Super Falcons, led by Randy Waldrum, exited the competition undefeated in regulation time, only falling short in the round of 16 via penalty shootout against reigning European champions and eventual finalists England.
While both Japan and Spain have lifted the World Cup trophy, neither nation has claimed Olympic gold in women's football. This presents an opportunity for the Super Falcons to make history.
Monday on the international scene
Monday herself is no stranger to international success.
She captained the national team to victory at the 2019 African Games, defeating Cameroon on penalties in the final.
In February 2021, Monday was called up to the senior national team for the Turkish Women's Cup, where she played a key role in Nigeria's historic triumph – the first by an African nation in the competition – contributing the eighth goal in a dominant 9-0 win over Equatorial Guinea.
Most recently, Monday was included in the 23-player Nigerian squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. She has now accumulated ten appearances for the senior national team, finding the net twice.
Following a successful season with Spanish club Unión Deportiva Tenerife, where she notched six goals and one assist in 28 league appearances, Monday is eager to contribute to a memorable Olympic campaign for Nigeria.
