It will be the battle of two continental giants when Brazil trade tackles with Nigeria in their opening Group C match at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Thursday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Having won the Copa América eight of the nine times it has been contested, Brazil are the undisputed giants of South American football.
Following their pedigree on the global scene, As Canarinhas will be heavy favourites to claim a big victory when they meet African queens Nigeria inside the Stade Matmut-Atlantique in Bordeaux.
Veterans at this tournament, Brazil have appeared at every edition of the Olympics and came very close to winning gold medals twice before settling for a runners-up spot in 2004 and 2008.
The Arthur Elias-tutored ladies arrive for the Olympics in top spirits after winning all but two of their ten games in 2024.
Boasting an incredibly fluid attack, Brazil defeated Jamaica twice in June by the same 4-0 scoreline, with legendary number 10 Marta scoring three of her team’s eight goals.
While they will look to repeat the same performance against Nigeria, Brazil will find the Super Falcons a tough nut to crack.
Nigeria are the most successful team on the African continent finishing as champions 11 times at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Falcons have qualified for every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, reached the quarterfinals in 1999, and made it past the group stage last year in Australia and New Zealand.
Under American coach Randy Waldrum, the Super Falcons have grown into a more modern unit, impenetrable in defence and dangerous in attack.
While the Nigerian ladies are only returning to the Olympics after a 16-year absence, the team will be quietly confident they can upset the odds and stun the heavyweights in their group, starting with Brazil.
The Super Falcons suffered a narrow 1-0 loss in their only preparatory game ahead of this tournament last week.
However, with Nigeria boasting the best goalkeeper on the continent and a six-time CAF Women’s Player of the Year in their fold, the Falcons have enough ammunition to shoot down any opposition who underestimate them.
Head-to-head
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have met Brazil twice and lost both encounters against the Seleção.
Brazil won the first match 4-3 after extra time in the quarterfinals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1999.
The Brazilians took a three-nil lead after only 35 minutes but Nigeria fought back bravely in the second half to level proceedings.
However, the South Americans found the winner in the 104th minute of play.
The second meeting at the Beijing 2008 Olympics was not as close.
Nigeria took the lead courtesy of a Perpetual Nkwocha penalty but forward Cristiane smashed a brilliant hat-trick for Brazil to condemn the Falcons to a 3-1 defeat.
https://twitter.com/CAF_Online/status/1213429871600263170
Possible lineups
Nigeria: 4-2-3-1
Chiamaka; Alozie, Ohale, Demehin, Okeke; Abiodun, Ucheibe; Echegini, Payne, Ajibade; Ihezuo.
Brazil: 4-2-3-1
Natascha; Bruninha, Rafaelle Souza, Tarciane, Yasmim; Duda Sampaio, Laís Estevam, Byanca Brasil, Gabi Portilho, Debinha; Gabi Nunes.
Match details
Competition: Paris 2024 Olympics
Match: Nigeria vs Brazil
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2024
Venue: Stade Matmut-Atlantique, Bordeaux
Kickoff time: 6 pm (Nigerian time)
