Super Falcons camp | Credit: NFF
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have commenced preparations for the Paris 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, marking their first appearance in the event in 16 years. The training camp, located in Jerez de la Frontera near Sevilla, is now bustling with activity as most of the invited players have reported for duty.
Team Administrator Mary Oboduku revealed to thenff.com that 12 players were present for breakfast on Monday, with two additional players expected to join at the Hotel Barceló Montecastillo Golf and Resort by the afternoon.
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“We began training on Sunday, and the camp atmosphere is very positive. The players are highly motivated and excited about the upcoming tournament in France,” Oboduku shared.
Leading the squad are team captain Rasheedat Ajibade and first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. Other players already in camp include goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, defenders Chidinma Okeke and Nicole Payne, midfielders Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun, and Jennifer Echegini, and forward Esther Okoronkwo. Additionally, alternate players goalkeeper Morufa Ademola and forward Gift Monday have also arrived.
Defenders Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie were expected to join the team by Monday afternoon.
The Super Falcons, nine-time African champions, will face the reigning Olympic champions, Canada, in a training match in Sevilla on Wednesday, July 17. Canada’s team secured the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago by defeating Sweden 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.
In their previous Olympic appearanc2008 in China, the Super Falcons were defeated 0-1 by both Korea DPR and Germany, and 1-3 by Brazil, who went on to win the silver medal.
Women’s football was introduced at the Olympic Games as a demonstration sport in 1996, with the Super Falcons debuting in 2000 in Australia. In that tournament, they lost 1-3 to China, eventual winners Norway, and eventual silver medallists USA. Perpetua Nkwocha scored against China, while Mercy Akide netted against both Norway and the USA.
Nigeria’s best performance in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament came 20 years ago in Athens, where the Super Falcons reached the quarter-finals and finished 6th place.
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