EXCITING NEWS: TNG WhatsApp Channel is LIVE…
Subscribe for FREE to get LIVE NEWS UPDATE. Click here to subscribe!
Despite narrow defeats in their last two matches of the Women’s Football Tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Super Falcons are hopeful of securing a commanding victory against Japan at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes on Wednesday. A win could earn them a spot in the quarter-finals as one of the two best third-placed teams.
The Super Falcons previously defeated Japan in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in Piraeus, Greece, in 2004. Vera Okolo’s goal secured the victory, marking Nigeria’s only quarter-final appearance and their sole win in the Olympics since their participation began 24 years ago.
“Victory over Japan is possible. We will work hard to accomplish that. The Super Falcons have done it before, and we can do it again,” said captain Rasheedat Ajibade.
In their recent game against world champions Spain on Sunday, Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, and Chinwendu Ihezuo missed key opportunities to score, which would have made them only the fourth-ever Nigerian scorers in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.
Mercy Akide-Udoh, now FIFA’s Goodwill Ambassador for Women’s Football, holds the record as Nigeria’s top scorer with four goals. She scored twice at the Sydney Olympics, in the 1-3 losses to Norway and the USA, and twice more in Athens, in the 1-2 defeats to Sweden and Germany.
Four-time African Player of the Year Perpetua Nkwocha follows with two goals, scored in the 1-3 defeat by China in 2000 and the 1-3 loss to Brazil in 2008.
Vera Okolo’s lone strike secured the historic win over Japan in Athens.