Asisat Oshoala insists the Super Falcons have it takes to make it beyond the group stage at the 2024 Olympic Games.
The nine-time African champions are drawn in a tough group with current world champions Spain, Brazil and Japan.
The three countries are in the top 10 in the FIFA Women’s World World ranking.
The Super Falcons are currently placed 36th in the world.
“At the World Cup last year, people said the same thing,” Oshoala told FIFA.com.
“They said we were in the Group of Death [with Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland] and could not qualify. But we did. I have a lot of confidence in this team. We have many young players and we can make things difficult for our opponents. We don’t just think about getting out of the group, I think we can actually walk away with a medal.”
While Nigeria have yet to advance beyond the last eight in three appearances at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, their men’s team boast a rich history at the Games.
Their gold-medal winning team at Atlanta 1996 featured a dazzling array of stars including the likes of the Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, Taribo West and Sunday Oliseh.
“I know quite a few guys from the team,” Oshoala said. “When I go to the CAF awards, they always come over and say hi. We’ve had lunch together and they’re a really nice group of people.
“What they did at the Olympics was amazing. The male side have had great results even more recently too [they won silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016]. I hope we can follow them.”
Nigeria will kick off their Olympic campaign against Brazil in Bordeaux before travelling north to Nantes for their clashes with Spain and Japan.
5 Comments
Ha! lol, Oshoala again? CSN na wa for una o! Chai, talk about champions of serious mediocrity! So what is the purpose of this your article now? Is it not to keep another of your favourites Oshoala at the forefront of the SF’s selection crew’s minds, even though every tom, dick, harry and their dog knows that she is no longer a starter for our gallant female team and only a bench warmer at best, yet you saboteurs will boldy blaze her headlines all over your front page in a bid to try and shoehorn her into our team so that the team can be short 1 again and weakened against achieving our goal as a nation ba? hmm na wa o!
@Private JohnB, who cares if Oshoala is no longer a starter for the Super Falcons?! She’s still an influential cog in the locker-room and on the field. When one witnesses how some Nigerians (particularly those who’ve never done anything for Nigeria) insult those who have sacrificed and literally put their blood sweat and tears on the line for this increasingly broken nation, one can begin to understand why so many others don’t bother. A country and PEOPLE that often denigrates success and rewards failure.
9ja fakest
God punish you and your bad belle generation of agbero morons!
9jafakest
If an animal such as yourself has nothing sensible to say why not just
9jafakest indeed last man
shut tf up and stop embarrassing yourself and your family?
God gave you a brain, why refuse to use it for good rather than bad belle wickedness – you are an imbecile, Did I not say she will be on the bench? Or you don’t know the implication of being on the bench? I don’t blame you, if you or any of your bloodline were useful humans then I would be surprised but from a moron like you I am not surprised
stupid tool! complete retard! 9jafakest indeed last man!
csn a bunch of animals
deadmen walking
we know each and everyone of you dogs and you will all meet your end one by one VERY SOON!