World champions Spain on Sunday beat the Super Falcons 1-0 in their second Group C match of the 2024 Olympics Women’s Football Tournament at Stade de la Beaujoire – Louis Fonteneau, Nantes, France.
The disappointing result has reduced the chances of the African giants qualifying from the group stage.
In the match against Spain, talented player and Bay FC forward Asisat Oshoala was featured as against Veronica Ihezuo, while Esther Okoronkwo got a shirt ahead of new PSG singing Jennifer Echegini.
These were the two major changes made by Coach Randy Waldrum for the Super Falcons team that started the 1-0 defeat against Brazil.
Nigeria controlled possession when the game started, missed crucial opportunities against the world champions, after Spain’s first chance in the 19th minute refusing to convert the chances.
In the 53rd minute, Spain’s Salma Paralluelo scored a goal that was disallowed after confirmation from the Video Assistant Referee that the goal was ruled out for offside.
Another opportunity came knocking on the door of Spain in the 85th minute, as it was beautifully converted a superb Putellas freekick, which went through to the net, beating Nnadozie .
Super Falcon’s Ihezuo, who replaced Oshoala wasted a golden opportunity which would have levelled the scoreline for Nigeria in stoppage time, but the striker couldn’t beat Coll in a one-on-one situation.
Her inability to convert the crucial opportunity gave Spain six points on the group table after the 1-0 win.
So far, the Super Falcons are the only team in Group C without a win yet as Japan secured a 2-1 win over Brazil earlier in the day.
This situation leaves Nigeria in a tight situation for qualification as they go into the last group game against the Asians on Wednesday.
Currently, the Super Falcons are left with an option of beating Japan, hoping Spain will beat Brazil, and also nurse the ambition of picking one of the two best losers’ spots in the next round.
