Nigeria Football Federation President Backs Super Falcons for Olympic Success

Ibrahim Gusau, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has expressed his support for the Super Falcons, Nigeria's women's national football team, to perform well at the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The Super Falcons have been drawn in a challenging Group C, facing formidable opponents Spain, Japan, and Brazil.

Gusau stressed the importance of the team maintaining their strength and determination during the group stage matches, as they face world football powerhouses. He believes the team can replicate their impressive performance at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, where they reached the round of 16 before being eliminated on penalties by England.

Why this matters: The Super Falcons' qualification for the 2024 Olympics marks their return to the global stage after a 16-year absence. Their performance in Paris could inspire a new generation of Nigerian female footballers and elevate the profile of women's football in Africa.

Former Nigerian international Ike Shorunmu has urged the Falcons to be "strong, focused, and resilient in their group stage matches. He also advised the NFF and the Technical Crew to carefully select experienced players in order to maximize the team's performance on the field. "The team belongs to the 'group of world football champions'," Shorunmu said, emphasizing the caliber of opponents the Super Falcons will face.

Gusau is setting his sights on the podium in Paris, stating that the team's resilience and determination to qualify for the Olympics against all odds will motivate them to make their mark at the Games. He is confident the Falcons can qualify from the group stage and target the semi-finals, which would put them in the medal range.

Super Falcons striker Gift Monday expressed confidence in her team's abilities, stating, "We are united, resilient, and determined. If we build on our performance at the last World Cup, we can win a medal for Nigeria." The team secured their Olympic qualification after a hard-fought 1-0 aggregate victory over South Africa, with Rasheedat Ajibade scoring the winning goal in the first leg at the Moshood Abiola Stadium.

As the Super Falcons prepare for their Olympic campaign, the NFF and the team's supporters are rallying behind them, hoping for a historic performance in Paris. The team's opening match against Japan on July 25 will set the tone for their Olympic journey, as they aim to navigate a challenging group stage and make a statement on the global stage.

Key Takeaways

• NFF president Gusau backs Super Falcons for 2024 Olympics success
• Super Falcons drawn in tough Group C with Spain, Japan, and Brazil
• Team aims to replicate 2023 World Cup performance and reach Olympics semis
• Former player Shorunmu urges team to be "strong, focused, and resilient"
• Super Falcons striker Monday confident team can win an Olympic medal