Nigeria make their Olympic return after not featuring in the past three Olympic games, qualifying in April to represent CAF alongside Zambia. The Super Falcons join Group C, where they will meet Brazil, Japan, and Spain.
The team has notably been involved in labor disputes with their federation regarding pay. Both players and coaches have been impacted by an alleged lack of payment dating back to at least 2022.
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After losing to England on penalties in the Round of 16 at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the Super Falcons went directly to Olympic qualifying after the cancellation of AFWCON qualification matches that had been originally scheduled in the September international window.
Nigeria had a record of 5W-3D in Olympic qualifying, beating South Africa in a two-legged playoff to earn their Olympic berth.
The only friendly Nigeria played between the World Cup and Olympics was on July 17, just prior to the Olympic tournament. Canada reportedly won the closed door match 1-0.
Previous Olympic Appearances
Nigeria has three prior Olympic appearances, in 2000, 2004, and 2008, but hasn’t qualified for the Olympics since the Beijing games.
Nigeria did not advance out of their group in 2000 or 2008, losing all three group stage matches. In 2000, Norway and the United States advanced, going on to win the gold and silver medals respectively. In 2008, Brazil and Germany would advance from Nigeria’s group, winning silver and bronze medals respectively.
The women’s football tournament at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens began with 10 teams, Nigeria featuring in one of two groups consisting of three teams. Nigeria automatically qualified for the knockout stage with a 1W-1L record, beating Japan 1-0 and losing to Sweden 2-1. Nigeria would lose the quarterfinal match 2-1 to Germany.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie, Tochukwu Oluehi
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale, Tosin Demehin, Michelle Alozie, Nicole Payne, Chidinma Okeke
Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun, Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe, Jennifer Echegini, Toni Payne
Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade, Esther Okoronkwo, Asisat Oshoala (c), Uchenna Kanu, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Chinonyrem Macleans, Ifeoma Onumonu
Alternates: Jumoke Alani, Ifeoma Onumonu, Gift Monday, Morufa Ademola, Regina Otu
Coach: Randy Waldrum
Young Player to Watch
After shining at the 2019 and 2023 Women’s World Cups in goal for Nigeria, Chiamaka Nnadozie will make her Olympic debut this summer at age 23. Nnadozie is the youngest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet at a Women’s World Cup, at 18 years and 186 days old for Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Korea.
Nnadozie notably stopped a penalty shot from global leading goal scorer Christine Sinclair in Nigeria’s 2023 WWC opening match against Canada, captaining the Super Falcons to a 0-0 draw. Ultimately, the young star left the tournament with 3 clean sheets in four matches, and only 2 goals against. The goals allowed were in the group stage against Australia, in Nigeria’s 3-2 upset to the host team.
Nnadozie was named Africa’s best goalkeeper in 2023, and will have the opportunity to showcase her skills against the attacking prowess of Brazil, Japan, and Spain.