Falcons falter against world champions

The Super Falcons lost 1-0 to world champions Spain in their second Group C match of the 2024 Olympics Women’s Football Tournament at Stade de la Beaujoire – Louis Fonteneau, Nantes, on Sunday, leaving the African giants on the brink of elimination, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Coach Randy Waldrum made two changes to the Super Falcons team that started the 1-0 defeat against Brazil, bringing in Bay FC forward Asisat Oshoala for Veronica Ihezuo, while Esther Okoronkwo was preferred to new PSG singing Jennifer Echegini.

The Super Falcons’ strategy was clear, and Spain started the game on the front foot, but as much as they controlled possession, the Falcons kept their coordination at the back, with all players dropping behind the ball when out of possession.

After Spain’s first chance in the 19th minute, Nigeria had a couple of chances to upset the world champions.

Esther Okoronkwo was the first to draw a save from Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll after she was freed by a through ball from Captain Rasheedat Ajibade.

A few minutes later, Ajibade was also set through on goal by Oshoala, but the Atletico Madrid forward’s hesitation didn’t allow her to get a final touch on the ball.

For all of Spain’s dominance, their most dangerous chance came in the 44th minute, but Chiamaka Nnadozie proved why she’s the best goalkeeper in Africa, pulling off a point-blank save to deny Alexis Putellas from turning in a cross. Before then, Chidinma Okeke had made a vital block in the area to prevent the Spaniards from breaking the deadlock.

The Spaniards started the second half the way they began the first, and their first chance came two minutes after the restart, but Nnadozie was not to be beaten at her near post by a left-footed Putellas.

Spain thought they had the breakthrough in the 53rd minute courtesy of Salma Paralluelo, but the Video Assistant Referee came to the rescue of the Super Falcons as the goal was ruled out for offside.

As they did in the first half, Waldrum’s ladies created chances of their own, and they could have hurt Spain on the counter in the 65th minute. Ajibade, however, missed again after being teed up by Oshoala on the edge of the box.

Nigeria endured a tough 15 minutes to the end of the game, surviving a goal-mouth scramble and Osinachi Ohale making a last-ditch block to keep the scoreline goalless in quick succession.

There was however no denying Spain in the 85th minute, and their breakthrough came from a superb Putellas freekick, which left Nnadozie hapless.

Ihezuo, who replaced Oshoala, had the chance to level matters for Nigeria in stoppage time, but the striker couldn’t beat Coll in a one-on-one situation, allowing Spain to take their tally in the group to six points with the 1-0 win.

Following Japan’s 2-1 win over Brazil earlier in the day, the Super Falcons are the only team in Group C without a win yet, putting their destiny in the hands of their opponents as they go into the last group game against the Asians on Wednesday.

 To advance, Nigeria need to beat Japan, hoping Spain will beat Brazil, and also nurse the ambition of picking one of the two best losers’ spots in the next round.