Paris 2024: Falcons Falter, Team Nigeria Struggles Continue

Ordinarily, 2 losses in 2 games signals elimination from a tournament but a late double salvo by Japan over Brazil, coupled with FIFA’s 6 point penalty slammed on defending Olympic champions Canada has opened up the door for Team Nigeria’s Super Falcons despite the narrow loss to World champions Spain in a Group C match played in Nantes.

To take advantage of the opened door, Nigeria HAS to beat Japan in their last group game on Wednesday. If the team continues it’s profligacy in front of goal, then it’s not going to happen.

Against the Spaniards, the Falcons missed 3 glaring chances with Captain Rasheedat Ajibade the major culprit. As it so often happens in Football, once you don’t take your chances, you tend to pay. That’s exactly what happened when the usually excellent Chiamaka Nnadozie, who produced a world class save in the first half, committed a rare error when a free-kick sailed over her despairing dive and into the top corner five minutes from time.

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A win against Japan by at least 2 goals is a must on Wednesday. That means Nigeria can finish at least 3rd and qualify as one of the two 3rd-placed teams. The team needs a drastic improvement in front of goal to stand a chance.

Elsewhere, Team Nigeria’s struggles continued. Earlier in the day, Olaitan Olaore lost 5-0 to Aibeck Olabay of Kazakhstan in the 92 kg class in boxing and late in the evening, Edem Offiong was beaten 4-0 by Bruna Takahasi of Brazil in the Women’s Singles event in Table Tennis.

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Today, Fatimo Bello, the only Nigerian left in the Table Tennis event, will face Jia Nan Yuan of France while African Basketball Champions D’Tigress have a daunting challenge in the shape of Australia, in Lille as they tip off their Olympic participation.

Hopefully, Team Nigeria can get going….

By Deji Omotoyinbo, in Paris