Gusau backs Falcons to shine at Olympics

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, is optimistic the Super Falcons will derive inspiration from their impressive performance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand when they compete at the women’s football event of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Nigeria are pitted against Spain, Brazil, and Japan in a tough Group C of the tournament, which begins July 25, a day before the opening ceremony of the Games, and will run until August 10, when the Games come to an end.

The Falcons booked their spot at the Games for the first time since 2008 by defeating rivals South Africa 1-0 on aggregate in the final qualifying round.

The team’s coach, Randy Waldrum, has labelled their group the “group of death,” but Gusau believes the 11-time African champions can replicate their 2023 Women’s World Cup form, where they bowed out on penalties against England in the round of 16, having held Olympic champions Canada and Northern Ireland, and beating co-hosts Australia.

“We’ll try to improve on our World Cup performance, where we crashed out without losing a single game during regulation time. The girls have shown resilience and determination to qualify for the Olympics against all odds, and I trust them to carry that same spirit to the Games in Paris,” Gusau said.

Gusau is also setting his sights on the podium in Paris.

“After a performance at the World Cup in Australia or New Zealand, I know none of the teams in our group will take us for granted. We want to qualify from the group stage and target the semi-finals, which puts us in the medal range. I believe the team will do well in Paris and return to the country with medals on their necks. Missing three previous Olympic qualifications will motivate the girls to make their mark in Paris,” he added.