National Teams
Paris 2024 Olympics: Five Brazilian players that may punish Nigeria
By Wale Mustapha
The Nigeria women’s national team will face their Brazilian counterparts in their opening match of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Thursday.
Coach Randy Waldrum’s side will face their biggest test yet since playing England in last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup. This match rekindles a long-standing rivalry between the two teams, who have met at various levels of women’s football.
The Super Falcons hope to end their winless run against the Seleção ladies in Bordeaux with their highly-rated players. To achieve that, they must be cautious of several Brazilian stars who can thwart their efforts.
Here are the five Brazilian players the Super Falcons should watch out for:
- Lorena da Silva Leite The Gremio goalkeeper is expected to be in goal for Brazil, and her experience with the national team will be crucial. Lorena has 29 appearances for the senior national team since 2019 and has shown significant improvement. The Super Falcons’ strikers must be precise and accurate with their shots against the 27-year-old shot-stopper to secure a positive result.
- Rafaelle Souza Souza is the captain of the Brazilian women’s team, and the 33-year-old defender will likely be Nigeria’s biggest obstacle. The former Arsenal center-back, now with Orlando Pride in the United States, has 84 appearances for Brazil with nine goals. Leading the team since the 2022 Copa America tournament, she can also function as a central midfielder, making her a vital team member. Coach Waldrum will need to devise a special strategy to dislodge Souza from the defense to give Nigerian attackers a better chance at goal.
- Duda Sampaio The young midfielder from Corinthians is expected to be central to Brazil’s game against the Super Falcons. The 23-year-old is no stranger to playing on big stages like the Olympics, having played for the national team since the 2022 Copa America. Nigerian midfielders must find a way to neutralize her influence to create goal-scoring opportunities.
- Adriana The 27-year-old Adriana, who also plays for Orlando Pride, is expected to lead Brazil’s attack in Thursday’s encounter. The Super Falcons must be wary of the threat posed by Adriana, who has scored 14 goals for the Seleção in 59 appearances. Since her debut for the senior national team in 2017, Adriana has been a significant part of their success stories and will aim to replicate her best performances at the Olympics.
- Marta The veteran striker may be older, but her qualities and impact on the game remain formidable. Marta’s presence on the pitch is enough to unsettle opponents, and that’s why the Super Falcons’ defenders must be cautious while facing her. Even with limited minutes, she always makes her time on the field count.
The Super Falcons will need to bring their A-game and have a well-thought-out strategy to overcome these key Brazilian players and secure a win in their opening match.
