Paris Olympics: Nigeria vs Japan Preview: Falcons in make or mar duel against Samurai

By Wale Mustapha

The Nigeria women’s national team are set to play their final card in a bid to advance from the group stage of the 2024 Paris Olympics when they face Japan on Wednesday.

The match will be held at the Stade de la Beaujoire – Louis Fonteneau in Nantes, and is crucial for determining which teams will progress from Group C.

With two losses already under their belt, Nigeria must secure a win to have any chance of moving forward in the tournament. This task will be particularly challenging given their historical record against Japan and recent form.

The Super Falcons have struggled against the Japanese team in recent years, having lost four of their last five meetings. Their sole victory came at the 2004 Olympics, which remains their only win at the tournament to date.

Coach Randy Waldrum and his technical staff face the challenge of addressing the team’s attacking inefficiencies while maintaining their strong defensive performances.

Japan, meanwhile, also needs a victory to ensure their progression. They have been dominant in recent encounters with Nigeria and will draw confidence from their recent performances.

Japan made headlines with a dramatic comeback against Brazil, scoring two stoppage-time goals to secure a 2-1 victory after a narrow loss to Spain in their opening match.

Japan’s recent wins include a pair of friendly matches against Nigeria, both of which ended with identical 2-0 scorelines. With a history of strong performances and a scoring streak, Japan is poised to be a formidable opponent.

For the Super Falcons, coach Waldrum might opt to field the same squad that put in a commendable effort despite a narrow defeat to Spain.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie will be supported by a defensive line-up of Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin, and Chidinma Okeke. At the attacking end, Esther Okoronkwo will be tasked with leading the attack, hoping to convert the chances created.

Japan will be without experienced defender Risa Shimizu, who sustained a knee injury in their first group match against Spain.

However, Momoko Tanikawa, who made a significant impact as a substitute in the win over Brazil, may be considered for a starting role. West Ham United’s Riko Ueki is also in contention after coming off the bench to play over 30 minutes in the last game.

The match, scheduled for 4 PM Nigerian time, promises to be a thrilling encounter with everything on the line for both teams. As it stands, it’s a winner-takes-all situation, adding to the excitement and stakes of this pivotal game.