Paris 2024: Super Falcons Suffer Defeat In Bordeaux

The Super Falcons put up a great performance against the Canarinhas, but a 37th minute strike by Gabi Nunes separated the two-time Olympics silver medallists from the nine-time African champions as the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament got off to a roarious start on Thursday.
Rasheedat Ajibade captained the Falcons at the Stade Matmut Atlantique, as Nigeria’s flag was flown at the tournament for the first time in 16 years, maiking some excellent runs down the left of the South Americans.
Her final pass, after a brave run down the line in the 7th minute was blocked, and in the 16th minute, she was the initiator of a double-barreled attack on the Brazilian goal that saw Chinwendu Ihezuo’s shot blocked and Christy Ucheibe’s follow-up punched away.
In the 20th minute, Chiamaka Nnadozie saved from the rampaging Portilho, and again read well a long-range drive by Gabi Nunes five minutes later. In the 36th minute, ageless Brazil captain Marta thought she had given her team the lead when she struck past Nnadozie as the Falcons’ defence failed to clear, but she was ruled offside.
Moments later, the Nigerian defence was again caught napping, and Gabi Nunes, set free by a wonder of a pass by Marta, fired past Nnadozie, the ball cantering in from the underside of the bar.
In the closing moments, the Falcons broke forward with a sweet team move, only for Jennifer Echegini’s lift to rise above the opposition goalpost.
On the hour mark, Marta’s dipping curl from the left was thwarted and Nnadozie saved from Ludmila three minutes later.
Ajibade forced another smart save from the Brazilian goalkeeper in the 71st minute, and Ucheibe did the same with minutes left. But the Canarinhas held on to pick all three points in the evening.
At Stade de la Beaujoire, Spain came from behind to defeat Japan on their Olympic debut.
La Roja fell behind to Aoba Fujino’s wonderful free-kick, but Aitana Bonmati equalised before setting up Mariona Caldentey for the winning goal of the Group C opener.
The Super Falcons will clash with world champions Spain in Nantes on Sunday evening.