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Super Falcons of Nigeria and Brazil Set for High-Stakes Clash in Paris 2024 Olympics

Written by Jerry Alomatu on July 25, 2024

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A thrilling showdown is set to unfold as Nigeria faces Brazil in their Group C opener at the Paris 2024 Olympics Women’s Football Tournament. The match will kick off at 19:00 at the Matmut Atlantique Stadium in Bordeaux, France, today.

Both nations are giants in women’s football within their continents. The Super Falcons of Nigeria have dominated African women’s football, securing 11 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles, while Brazil’s Seleção have claimed the Copa América title eight times out of nine, establishing their dominance in South American football.

This match marks the third encounter between the two teams. Brazil has emerged victorious in both previous meetings. In their first clash at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Brazil won 4-3 after extra time in the quarterfinals, despite Nigeria’s dramatic comeback from a 3-0 deficit. The second encounter, during the Beijing 2008 Olympics, saw Brazil’s Cristiane score a hat-trick to secure a 3-1 win over Nigeria.

Nigeria’s head coach, Randy Waldrum, is hopeful as his team returns to the Olympics after a 16-year absence and aims to secure their first win against Brazil. The Falcons, considered underdogs in their group, are determined to make a strong start.

Brazil’s head coach, Arthur Elias, leads his team into the tournament buoyed by their impressive form, with ten wins out of their last 15 games since he took over in September 2023. Brazil forward Adriana emphasized the importance of their opening game: “This first game is crucial. In fact, it will always be like this. We need to concentrate and focus a lot on this debut. And take it step by step,” she told Sambafoot.

Nigeria midfielder Christy Ucheibe expressed confidence ahead of the match: “The training is good. The preparation is good. The spirit is high. Everyone is ready from the coaches, players, and staff, and everyone in camp is so happy and fighting so hard to prepare better for the Olympics. No team is a pushover, so we are going there to compete, and I know we are going to do more than we did at the last World Cup.”