Japan 3-1 Nigeria: Super Falcons bow out of Paris 2024 Olympics

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria’s senior women’s national team crashed out of the women’s football tournament of Paris 2024 Olympics after a 3-1 loss to Japan in the final Group C encounter at the Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes on Wednesday.

The West African team had lost their first two games 1-0 to Brazil and Spain and needed a two goal margin win to stand any chance of progressing to the quarter final for the first time since 2004.

Coach Randy Waldrum made a change to the team that lost 1-0 to world champions Spain.

Jennifer Echegini replaced Esther Okoronkwo upfront.

Chiamaka Nnadozie, Michelle Alozie, Chidinma Okeke, Oluwatosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale, Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Asisat Oshoala maintained their starters shirts.

Ayaka Yamashita, Miyabi Moriya, Hana Takahashi, Saki Kumagai, Iron Ishokawa, Hikaru Kitagawa, Maika Hamano, Yui Hasegawa, Honoka Hayashi, Mina Tanaka, and Riko Ueki stated for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup champions.

Hamano broke the deadlock for the Asian side in the 22nd minute from a cross by Ueki.

They doubled the lead ten minutes later as Tanaka latched onto a rebound after the initial effort hit the crossbar to punish the African giants.

Super Falcons reduced the deficit in the 42nd minute as a one-two play between Ucheibe and Echegini allowed the latter to beautifully convert a left-footed striker from the edge of the box.

The goal was Falcons’ first at Paris 2024 Olympics after firing blanks against Brazil and Spain respectively.

Japan responded in the additional minutes of the first half as Kitagawa converted a direct free kick into the top corner after a foul by Demehin.

They almost increased the lead in the second half when the referee initially awarded a penalty before ruling it out after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check.

The second half didn’t produce any goal as Nigeria bowed out of the competition with no points, while Spain and Japan progressed to the quarter final.