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Nigeria's return to the Olympics saw the Super Falcons lose to Brazil in their Paris 2024 opener.
Nigeria's Super Falcons made their long-awaited return to Olympic football after a 16-year absence, but their Paris 2024 campaign got off to a disappointing start with a 1-0 loss to Brazil in their opening match.
The game's decisive moment came in the first half when Gabriela Nunes Da Silva unleashed a ferocious strike that proved to be the only goal of the contest.
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20:06 - 25.07.2024
As it happened: Nigeria 0 vs Brazil 1 - Oshoala-less Super Falcons lose Olympic opener
Super Falcons of Nigeria begin their Paris 2024 Olympic football campaign with a defeat to the Canarinhas of Brazil.
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Nigeria’s Super Falcons begin Paris 2024 with loss
A positive start by Randy Waldrum women which saw Chiwendu Ihezuo miss Nigeria’s best chance of the game, the Super Falcons played second fiddle all through the encounter after plenty of attacking intent.
Nigeria had three big chances in quick succession, one of which was led by Rasheedat Ajibade, Nigeria's best player, beating her marker before crossing for Ihezuo, whose header was saved by Brazil's goalkeeper.
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It was the Super Falcons' best chance and Ihezuo, who was favoured to start by a Nigerian legend, should have scored. However, the Samba Girls took control after those threatening moments, going on to control the game en route to another win against Nigeria.
This result extends Brazil's unbeaten run against Nigeria to four matches, continuing the Super Falcons' struggles against the Samba Girls.
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This defeat marks a challenging start for Randy Waldrum's side, who find themselves in a formidable Group C alongside reigning world champions Spain and Asian powerhouse Japan.
The match echoed their previous Olympic meeting in Beijing 2008, which was also Nigeria's last appearance in the tournament.
On that occasion, Brazil secured a more comfortable 3-1 victory. Their other notable clash came in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, where Brazil emerged victorious in a thrilling 4-3 extra-time battle.
Despite the setback, the Super Falcons, who entered the tournament ready for battle and seeking revenge, will need to regroup quickly.
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With tough matches against Spain and Japan on the horizon, Nigeria will need to secure positive results to keep their hopes of progressing from this challenging group alive.
The narrow margin of defeat suggests that the Super Falcons were competitive against a strong Brazilian side in parts, potentially providing some encouragement as they look ahead to their remaining group-stage matches in their quest for Olympic success.
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