Brazil Beat Super Falcons Of Nigeria In 2024 Olympics Opener

Super Falcons of Nigeria continued their winless streak against the Brazil Women’s national team as they suffered a defeat in their 2024 Olympics opener.

Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum decided to start the 2024 Olympics opener without the team’s most decorated player, Asisat Oshoala. He decided to go with a lone striker, Chinwendu Ihezuo and four midfielders – Toni Payne, Jennifer Echegini, captain Rasheedat Ajibade, and Christy Ucheibe.

In his four-women defence starting lineup were: Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale, Chidinma Okeke, and Blessing Demehin, while Chiamaka Nnadozie mounted the goalpost.

As expected, the Brazilian side were more direct in their approach to the game at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France. But the Super Falcons were able to stop them from scoring until the 37th minute. Gabi Nunes scored for Brazil in the said minute after the initial match opener was ruled out for offside.

The Super Falcons who had a couple of chances couldn’t do much as the first half ended in favour of the Brazilians.

In the 70th minute of the game, coach Waldrum brought in Uchenna Kanu, Ifeoma Onumonu, and Esther Okoronkwo in place of Chinwendu Ihezuo, Jennifer Echegini, and Toni Payne. Unfortunately, the changes couldn’t make much impact as the game ended 1-0 in favour of the former world champions.

This means that Brazil have defeated the Super Falcons three times in their last four meetings and it means that Nigeria must beat the reigning world champions, Spain, on July 28 at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes to stand a chance of qualifying from Group C.

Nigeria’s last group-stage game at the 2024 Olympics is against Asian giants, Japan on July 31.