The Super Falcons of Nigeria have been seeded in the same group as Spain, Brazil, and Japan following their overall 1-nil victory against the Banyana Banyana of South Africa, Soccernet.ng reports.
Following a 1-nil victory against South Africa at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, thanks to a goal from the penalty spot by Rasheedat Ajibade, Nigeria secured a ticket to participate in the 2024 Olympic tournament despite securing a 0-0 draw in the second leg of the doubleheader clash.
With Nigeria seeded in the same group as the 2023 FIFA World Cup Champions Spain, the current Copa América Femenina Champions Brazil, the previous Asian Cup Champions, and current fourth-place Japan, it has been labeled a group of death.
Meanwhile, the coach of the Super Falcons, Randy Waldrum, acknowledged the group's tenacity and unveiled how his team could advance from the group, just like in the World Cup.
“My plea is to help us to prepare properly; we need to camp in Europe, we need proper training, proper transportation, and we need to do things right,” the American tactician urged.
“Every team at the Olympics is top, like the World Cup, we’re in the ‘Group of Death’.”
Is it a Group of Death for the Super Falcons?
Questions have begun to mount about whether the group is really a group of death, and whether the 11-time Women's Africa Cup of Nations champions can survive within it.
In contrast with the 2023 Women's World Cup, Nigeria was seeded in the same group as Canada, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland, which were threats to the Super Falcons and, thus, regarded as a group of death.
Meanwhile, with a 0-0 draw against the Republic of Ireland and Canada, Nigeria secured two points. With a victory against the tournament co-host, Nigeria advanced to the Round of 16, where a 4-2 penalty shootout against England sent them out of the tournament.
Again, this replica is predicted for the upcoming Paris 2024 tournament, where Nigeria and Zambia will be the two African countries.
What is the hope for the Super Falcons?
Waldrum's team has proven its defensive prowess, going unbeaten for its last eight games. It has used Michelle Alozie, Tosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale, Ashleigh Plumptre, and even the introduction of Christy Ucheibe, as well as the midfield combination of Deborah Abiodun and Halimatu Ayinde.
Defensively, the team looks ready to face any team in the upcoming clash, and working a little more on their offensive style would make them even better.
Brazil has won the silver medal twice in the Olympic Games, in 2004 and 2008, after getting fourth place in the two previous editions, and those players cannot be compared to these players, who could not even advance from the 2023 World Cup group. Likewise, Japan won the silver medal in 2012 and was a quarterfinalist in the 2023 World Cup, and of course, Spain made its Summer Olympic debut.
The Super Falcons are a relentless group, and they are likely to advance from their group, just like they did at the World Cup.
N.B: Can the Super Falcons impress at the upcoming Olympic tournament? Leave your comments below.
