The Nigerian women’s football team have looked to reinstate themselves on the ‘World’s Stage’ for the first time in 16 years, competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The ‘Super Falcons’ found themselves in the group of champions, having played current world number one, Spain, as well as former number ones Brazil and Japan. As the most successful women’s team in Africa, Nigeria looked to put their 11 Women’s African Cup of Nations titles to the test.
As of June this year, Nigeria were ranked 36th in the world by FIFA with prospects to climb higher after the upcoming competition. They looked to improve on their 2008 Olympic campaign, where they did not escape the group stage. It was three out of three losses against Brazil, Germany and North Korea, and only one consolation goal to show for themselves in the whole competition.
After some standout performances in the 2023 Women’s World Cup group stage, including their 0-0 draw against former Olympic champions, Canada, and 3-2 victory over host nation Australia, it is evident that Nigeria is a force to be reckoned with when given the opportunity.
The team were honoured for the first time by the Nigerian government after reaching the round of 16. Unfortunately they bowed out to England on penalties after a 0-0 draw, but each player was still rewarded with $10,000 for their great efforts. This marked a historical moment for female players in Nigeria, as their endeavours were appreciated nationally.
The ‘Falcons’ have had successful seasons at their respective clubs this year, with key standout names amongst the squad:
‘Solid between the sticks’ is the definition of goalkeeper Nnadozie Chiamaka. She was awarded the French D1 Arkema Goalkeeper of the Year after setting the record for penalty saves in Europe. In both League and Champions League matches, she stopped seven spot-kicks for Paris FC, granting victories against teams such as Arsenal, Real Madrid and Wolfsburg.
To add to the season’s success, Chiamaka helped her team qualify for the preliminary round of next season’s Women’s Champions League for the second season in a row. She stood strong in the shootout during the playoff game against Stade de Reims in May to secure third place in the French Division 1 Féminine.
It should come as no surprise to keep an eye out for Africa’s most decorated female striker, Asisat Oshoala. After tallying three goals in her debut season at Bay FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), she finished as the club’s joint top goal-scorer alongside Tess Boade. Oshoala looks to carry her form into the Olympics, after collecting her sixth African Women’s Footballer of the Year award in 2023, by scoring in another historic international tournament.
In an interview with FIFA, Oshoala outlined her optimism for her team:
“At the World Cup last year, people said the same thing. They said we were in the Group of Death and could not qualify. But we did. I have a lot of confidence in this team. We have many young players and we can make things difficult for our opponents. We don’t just think about getting out of the group. I think we can actually walk away with a medal.”
One youngster making waves in club football is striker Jennifer Echegini. She had an incredible 2023 season, finishing her final year of college football at Florida State University at 22-years-old. During this time, Echegini won the NCAA Championship in December against Stanford University, contributing to her team’s fifth goal of the match as a failed clearance ricocheted off of her.
As a former Hermann Trophy winner, the Nigerian quickly signed for Italian side Juventus in early 2024. In just six months, she scored ten goals for the club and was voted ‘Best Newcomer’. As of July 2024, Echegini put pen to paper at Paris Saint-Germain, signing on until 2027.
As for International Football, Echegini featured in Nigeria’s World Cup squad and will participate in her second major tournament this year. Working alongside experienced players, like Oshoala, the young striker will look to build on the one goal that she scored against New Zealand in April last year. With her current form, there is no doubt that Echegini is one to watch out for in this tournament.
The Super Falcons’ 2024 Olympic journey has come to an end, after they lost against Japan eliminating them from the Paris 2024 competiton.
Photo – https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/feb/13/nigeria-women-olympics-chaos-moving-the-goalposts
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/africa/66536442
https://thewillnews.com/nnadozie-crowned-french-d1-arkema-goalkeeper-of-the-year/
https://www.espn.com/soccer/team/stats/_/id/22187/bay_fc
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asisat_Oshoala
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/results/football/women/gpc-000200–
