Against much expectation, the Super Falcons failed to soar in their final match of Group C in the Paris 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.
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Their 1-3 loss to the Nadeshiko of Japan turned out to be their heaviest defeat of the tournament, marking a bitter end to their first Olympic outing in 16 years without a single point.
Having previously suffered 0-1 defeats to Brazil and Spain, the Super Falcons were expected to throw everything they had at the Asian champions. However, the Nadeshiko struck early and often, with Mika Hamano breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute by firing past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Just ten minutes later, Mina Tanaka doubled Japan’s lead, leaving the nine-time African champions with a mountain to climb.
There was a brief glimmer of hope for the Falcons when Jennifer Echegini scored a brilliant goal three minutes before halftime, cutting the deficit to 2-1. The momentum, however, was short-lived. In added time of the first half, Hamano restored Japan’s two-goal cushion with a superb free-kick, leaving the Nigerian team reeling.
Despite expectations of a second-half resurgence, the Super Falcons were unable to mount a comeback.
Their attack lacked the necessary sharpness and cohesion, while the defense remained vulnerable to Japan’s swift and skillful play. The Nigerian side struggled to create meaningful chances and were repeatedly thwarted by the disciplined Japanese defense.
The final whistle blew with the scoreline unchanged, confirming Nigeria’s exit from the tournament without a point and having scored only one goal in their three matches. It was a disheartening outcome for a team that had high hopes of making a significant impact on their return to the Olympic stage.
Coach Randy Waldrum faced criticism for the team’s lackluster performance, with questions arising about tactical decisions and player selections. The players themselves were visibly dejected, knowing they had fallen short of both their own and their nation’s expectations.
As the Super Falcons head home, they carry with them the lessons learned from this challenging Olympic campaign.
The focus now shifts to rebuilding and preparing for future tournaments, with an eye on reclaiming their status as a dominant force in African and global women’s football.
