Falcons seek first win against La Roja

The Super Falcons will be hoping to get their first win of the women’s football event of the Paris 2024 Olympics when they take on world champions Spain in their second Group C game at the Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes on Sunday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Randy Waldrum’s ladies suffered a 1-0 defeat to Brazil in their opening game at the Matmut Atlantique Stadium in Bordeaux on Thursday, with Gabi Nunes scoring the decisive goal in the 34th minute to condemn Nigeria to their first competitive defeat in regulation time since losing to Zambia in the third-place playoff at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.

Making their first appearance in the competition since featuring in three consecutive Olympics from 2000 to 2008, the Falcons are looking to reach the knockout rounds for the second time after achieving the feat at the 2004 edition.

To achieve that, the 11-time Women’s Africa Cup of Nations winners must up their game against the Spaniards, who will be aiming for a second consecutive win at the Olympics.

La Roja, who also won the UEFA Nations League earlier this year, kicked off their quest for the gold medal with a narrow 2-1 win over Japan in Nantes in the group’s first game on Thursday.

Aitana Bonmati produced a composed finish in the 22nd minute to cancel out Aoba Fujino’s early free-kick goal before Mariona Caldentey scored the all-important winner in the second half.

La Roja boasts a rich pedigree, having won 16 of their previous 19 matches in regulation time, including nine wins in their last 10 internationals.

They will be seeking more successes in their last two group games, starting with the encounter with Nigeria in Nantes before closing out preliminary assignments against Brazil.

Coach Montse Tome’s team are a free-scoring side, but they come up against a Nigerian defence that has conceded just two goals in their last six matches.

Meanwhile, of concern for Waldrum’s team is the fact they have only scored twice in that period. The American coach is likely to keep faith with a back line of Michelle Alozie, Oluwatosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale, and Chidinma Okeke.

Deborah Abiodun is also set to retain her place in the midfield alongside Benfica’s Christy Ucheibe.

However, Waldrum could make a change in the attack, with Esther Okoronkwo in contention for a starting shirt after coming off the bench at halftime against Brazil.

As for Spain, Tome is likely to keep faith with the same lineup that started Thursday’s win over Japan.

Bonmati will be looking to continue her fine goalscoring form, having found the net in each of her last five international appearances.

The 2023 Ballon d’Or winner will operate in the middle of the park alongside two Barcelona teammates, Patri Guijarro and Alexia Putellas.

While Thursday’s 1-0 defeat to Brazil was a major setback for the Falcons in their bid to reach the quarterfinals, the African giants will be eager to put the loss behind them and focus on their next game.

“We missed quite a few chances against Brazil, and they took their chance. We will do our best to take our chances against Spain on Sunday,” Rasheedat Ajibade told thenff.com.

Spain may be competing in their first-ever Olympics, but they will have high hopes of adding a gold medal to the World Cup trophy they won last year.

The world champions are the obvious favourites after winning nine of their last 10 matches and ultimately will showcase their extra quality to claim a win over Nigeria in Sunday’s contest as they continue their bid to become the fifth different winner in the women’s football event at the Olympics.