The Super Falcons lost 1-0 to world champions Spain in their second Group C encounter in the 2024 Olympics Women’s Football Tournament on Sunday at Stade de la Beaujoire – Louis Fonteneau in Nantes, putting the African powerhouse on the verge of elimination.
Coach Randy Waldrum made two changes to the Super Falcons’ starting lineup against Brazil, replacing Veronica Ihezuo with Bay FC striker Asisat Oshoala and opting for Esther Okoronkwo over new PSG signing Jennifer Echegini.
The Super Falcons’ approach was evident, and Spain opened the game on the front foot. However, while Spain controlled possession, the Falcons maintained their cohesion at the back, with all players falling behind the ball when out of possession.
Following Spain’s first chance in the 19th minute, Nigeria had a couple of opportunities to surprise the world champions.
Esther Okoronkwo was the first to force a save from Spain custodian Cata Coll after being set free by a through pass from Captain Rasheedat Ajibade.
A few minutes later, Oshoala placed Ajibade through on goal, but the Atletico Madrid forward’s indecision prevented her from finishing.
For all of Spain’s domination, their most serious chance came in the 44th minute, but Chiamaka Nnadozie demonstrated why she is Africa’s finest custodian, making a point-blank stop to prevent Alexis Putellas from crossing. Before that, Chidinma Okeke had placed a critical block in the area to prevent the Spaniards from breaking the deadlock.
The Spaniards began the second half in the same way they had begun the first, with their first chance coming two minutes after the restart, but a left-footed Putellas shot was saved by Nnadozie at her near post.
Spain believed they had broken the deadlock in the 53rd minute when Salma Paralluelo scored, but the Video Assistant Referee saved the day for the Super Falcons when the goal was ruled out for offside.
Waldrum’s ladies produced chances for themselves, as they had in the first half, and they could have hurt Spain on the counter in the 65th minute. Oshoala teed up Ajibade on the edge of the box, but he missed again.
Nigeria had a difficult 15 minutes till the finish of the game, surviving a goalmouth scramble and Osinachi Ohale’s last-ditch block to keep the scoreboard blank in rapid succession.
There was no denying Spain in the 85th minute, when they broke through with a magnificent Putellas freekick that left Nnadozie helpless.
Ihezuo, who replaced Oshoala, had a chance to level matters for Nigeria in stoppage time, but the striker was unable to beat Coll in a one-on-one situation, allowing Spain to win 1-0 and increase their group lead to six points.
Following Japan’s 2-1 victory against Brazil earlier in the day, the Super Falcons are the only side in Group C without a win, placing their fate in the hands of their opponents as they play their final group game against the Asians on Wednesday.
To advance, Nigeria must defeat Japan while simultaneously hoping that Spain defeats Brazil and that one of the two best losers earns a ticket in the next round.
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