Paris 2024 Olympic: Nigeria 0-1 Brazil: Gabi Nunes helps Selecao silence Super Falcons

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria women’s national team bowed to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Brazil in the first Group C match of women’s football tournament of Paris 2024 Olympics.

Gabi Nunes’ 37th minute powerful strike in the first half separated both sides.

Coach Randy Waldrum handed starter shirts to Chiamaka Nnadozie, Michelle Alozie, Chidinma Okeke, Oluwatosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale, Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun, Rasheedat Ajibade, Jennifer Echegini, and Chinwendu Ihezuo.

For Arthur Elias’ Brazil, Lorena, Antonia, Tarciane, Rafaelle Souza, Tamires, Duda Sampaio, Yaya, Ludmila, Gabi Portilho, Marta, and Gabi Nunes started the match.

The Super Falcons had double chances of going ahead in the 16th minute as Ihezuo and Ucheibe forced Lorena to double saves.

Afterwards the tide of the game swung into the South Americans favour.

Orlando Pride’s Marta thought she had broke the deadlock in the 36th minute but what should have been her 117th goal was ruled out for an offside.

A minute later, Marta set up Nunes whose right footed effort beat Nnadozie into the top corner to break the deadlock.

The Brazilians had a shout for a penalty in the additional minutes of the first half after Echegini was seemingly adjudge to have handled the ball in the box but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) waved it for corner kick.

The Copa America Femenina champions continued to dominate the nine time African champions in the second half as a seemingly cross from Marta hit the crossbar.

Nigeria had their chances as Lorena who had been a spectator since the first half double saves was forced to another save by Ajibade.

The introduction of Esther Okoronkwo, Ifeoma Onumonu, Nicole Payne, and Uchenna Kanu didn’t change the scoreline as Brazil picked their third straight win over the Super Falcons.

They had defeated Nigeria 4-3 and 3-1 at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter final and group stage of Beijing 2008 Olympics respectively.

Waldrum’s side will next face world champions Spain on July 28, 2024 after the La Rojas edged Japan 2-1 in the opening match.