Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre says the team must secure a spot at the 2024 Olympic Games.
The Super Falcons have failed to qualify for the last three editions of the Olympics.
Expectations are high that Randy Waldrum’s side will earn a berth at Paris 2024 following their impressive showing at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The nine-time African champions were unbeaten in the group stage holding Olympic champions Canada to a barren draw and defeated hosts Australia 3-2.
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The Super Falcons were however eliminated in the Round of 16 by the Three Lionesses of England, losing 4-2 on penalties.
Plumptre stated that the team’s next ambition is to qualify for the Olympics.
This is now the benchmark for us,” Plumptre told the BBC.
The expectation is that we compete with these teams all the time, hopefully, we have proven that.”
The Super Falcons will take on Ethiopia in the first round of the qualifiers for the 2024Olympic Games in October.
10 Comments
This GIRL na HALF CAST o but see the way she carry SF for back like say na FULL CAST…
She should be made the CAPTAIN ASAP..
Yes, you are on point ..She need to be given the captain band soon
Thanks man
press man!!! The olympic game is 2024, not 2026///
England that will almost defeated is in the final, we lost the WC against Ireland for not winning them and top the group, the defeat to England still hurt.
This was our best shot ever at reaching the semifinal…It will hurt more When England are crowned champions..
I’m telling you, we have everything going for us to win them, play short one for close to 40minutes, they miss there first penalty even before us to give our girls the motivation, we’ll that’s history now, we move.
Indeed, if we had beaten the Irish, we could have made the semifinals.
COULD HAVE.
No guarantees in this crazy game. The Denmark team we would have collided with also gave England a tough time at the group stage, AND MIGHT ALSO HAVE BEATEN US IN THE ROUND OF I6.
MIGHT HAVE. OR WE MIGHT HAVE BEATEN THEM.
We can’t know these things for sure because nobody except God can see the future.
What we do know FOR SURE was that poor preparation due to inadequate support from NFF ONIGBESE severely clipped this team’s wings and stopped them from flying like they normally would have.
With proper support from the NFF, who knows what this team could have accomplished!
Instead of helping the team, NFF ONIGBESE was busy squabbling with the players over bonuses, and refusing to pay the coaches. Their big grammer wielding spokesman was busy raining insults on the coach for asking for his and the team’s entitlements! In spite of this chaotic conundrum, Waldrum and company still managed to produce a performance we can be proud of. They did not win like we all wanted them to, but they were not disgraced or embarrassed either.
So the blame for the unfulfilled potential of this team lies squarely on the irresponsible, incompetent and grossly corrupt shoulders of NFF ONIGBESE. They ruined this for all of us.
Exactly my brother
Personally, I would like the NFF to retain Waldrum but I think their ego has been bruised beyond repair.
Those people in the Glass House cannot stand the sight of Waldrum. Yes they acknowledge his good works but the wounds of his pre-world cup tantrums have left terrible scars on the NFF.
He has to go. Shame though, I think he is capable of doing good things with this team next year. We have the Wafcon and then potentially the Olympics. Why not tolerate Waldrum for just another 12 months?
Anyways.
Waldrum was a relic of Pinnick’s administration. Gusau will also want to create his own legacy. So, if he is smart, him and his puppet “technical committee” will look for a coach who can build on what Waldrum achieved.
People including myself can criticise Waldrum. But, getting favourable competitive results (in open play) against Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Canada, Ireland, Australia and England in this administrative climate is not easy feat!
The opposition scarcely gets more daunting.
Who will Gusau lumber us with? Perhaps he can draft Ladan Bosso to try out his skills on women’s football. Or maybe Imama Amapakabo, who knows. Austin Eguavoen tried with the Super Eagles. Will he be given the chance against the Super Falcons? Not to forget coach Bankole Olowokere, perhaps he can win Silverware for the Super Falcons with a practical approach devoid of elegance.
My problem is, the Super Falcons have meaty assignments in the next 12 months. A coach with tactical discipline who knows how to “manage women to bring forth success” is required. Waldrum currently fits the bill. Why then look for another person in such short time?
We are all waiting eagerly as Olympics qualifiers are just round the corner.