Nigeria’s Super Falcons have begun preparations for their first participation in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in 16 years.
According to Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Head of Communications, the team resumed training in Spain on Friday with an expected 18 players, but as of Monday morning, only 12 had arrived.
Olajire noted that their camp in the city of Jerez de la Frontera, near Sevilla, has become lively with most of the invited players now present.
He also mentioned that team administrator Mary Oboduku stated in the release that two or more players were expected to arrive in the afternoon.
“We started training on Sunday and the team’s camp at Hotel Barceló Montecastillo Golf and Resort is calm.
The players are in very high spirits as they look forward to the tournament in France,” Oboduku said.
Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade and first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie are among the leading players already in camp. They are joined by goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, defenders Chidinma Okeke, and Nicole Payne.
Also present are midfielders Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini, and forward Esther Okoronkwo. Alternate players goalkeeper Morufa Ademola and forward Gift Monday are also in attendance.
Defenders Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie are expected to arrive at the team’s hotel later on Monday.
The nine-time African champions, who last competed in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in China in 2008, are scheduled to play a training match against reigning Olympic champions Canada in Sevilla on July 17.
Canada’s women’s team secured the gold medal in Tokyo 2021 by defeating Sweden 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regular and extra time.
In their previous appearance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, the Falcons suffered defeats with scores of 0-1 against Korea Democratic People’s Republic, 0-1 against Germany, and 1-3 against eventual silver medalists Brazil.
Women’s football made its Olympic debut as a demonstration sport in 1996, with the Super Falcons joining in 2000 in Australia. During that tournament, they lost 1-3 to China, eventual winners Norway, and eventual silver medalists USA.
Perpetua Nkwocha scored the lone goal against China, while Mercy Akide scored against both Norway and USA.
Nigeria’s most successful performance to date at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament was in Athens 20 years ago, where the Super Falcons finished in 6th place after exiting in the quarter-finals.
In the upcoming tournament scheduled from July 26 to August 11, the Falcons are grouped with Spain, Brazil, and Japan in Group C.