National Teams
Paris 2024 Olympics: Nigeria vs Brazil in history
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
With fans eagerly awaiting the Group C opener of the Paris 2024 Olympics women’s football tournament between Nigeria and Brazil, history and statistics are key ahead of this encounter.
NigeriaFootball.ng brings you the clashes between Super Falcons and Selecao in history ahead of Thursday’s encounter.
Thursday’s matchup will be the third meeting between both sides at international tournaments and friendlies combined.
The previous two meetings took place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and Olympics hence this game will be the second meeting for both at the Olympics.
The first encounter took place at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-final in the United States of America (USA).
The game which took place at the Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, Landover ended 4-3 in favour of the South American side after extra time at a time when the golden goal rule still exists.
The Selecao had a three-goal lead in the first half as Maria Aparecida Souza Dias (also known as Cidinha) broke the deadlock in the fourth minute.
She doubled the lead in the 22nd minute before Elissandra Regina Cavalcanti (Nene) increased the lead to three in the 35th minute.
Coach Ismila Mabo’s halftime pep talk germinated into the Super Falcons’ resurgence in the second half.
Prisca Emeafu started the fightback in the 63rd minute while Nkiru Okosieme (popularly known as Headmistress) made it 3-2 in the 72nd minute.
With five minutes remaining for the game to end, Nkechi Egbe equalised taking the match into extra time.
The West African giants might have been tired out after a red card to goalkeeper Ann Chiejine as Sisleide Amor Lima (Sissi) scored the winning goal in the 104th minute for Brazil.
The game remained one of the most dramatic and entertaining as far as the FIFA Women’s World Cup is concerned and Nigeria’s best performance at the Mundial to date.
Moreso, the second meeting was at the 2008 Beijing Olympics group stage with Brazil picking a 3-1 victory over Nigeria despite going behind.
Precious Dede, Onome Ebi, Faith Ikidi, Ulumma Jerome, Christie George, Efioanwam Ekpo, Sarah Michael, Rita Chikwelu, Perpetua Nkwocha, Ifeanyi Chiejine, and Cynthia Uwak started for Nigeria.
Tochukwu Oluehi who is the only player on the team at this year’s Olympics started from the bench alongside Ayisat Yusuf, Lilian Cole, Kikelomo Ajayi, Tawa Ishola, Edith Eduviere, and Stella Mbachu.
Perpetua Nkwocha put Nigeria ahead from the penalty spot in the 19th minute at the Beijing Worker’s Stadium.
A hat trick from Cristiane in the 33rd, 35th, and 48th minute lifted the Copa America Champions to victory.
Randy Waldrum’s side will attempt to get their first win against Brazil after scoring four and conceding seven in the last two meetings.
A win for the nine-time African champions will secure their second victory at the Olympics after a 1-0 success over Japan in the 2004 Athens Olympics (Greece).
