By Damola Emmanuel
It is now as certain as daylight that unless Nigeria’s Super Falcons beat Japan on Wednesday, their quarter final dream will go up in flame and it would be the end of their aspiration in the ongoing female football event of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Despite a sharp attack that gave their second opponent, Spain, goose pimples, holding them for most of the match, the Nigerian team crumbled 0-1 Sunday evening, putting their quarter final ticket in serious jeopardy.
In a moment of superb brilliance, Barcelona star, Alexia Putellas, broke the Super Falcon’s back when she fired a free-kick to the back of the net with just five minutes to the end of the game, the 85th minute.
The power and speed behind the free-kick left Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, who plies her trade with Première Ligue club, Paris FC, helpless. She was left beneath the ball and could only watch the shot fly past her head.
Earlier, Spain’s defence had been caught nappingin the 36th minute but Rsheedat Ajibade, who was in a vantage position to put Nigeria ahead, was crowded out by goalkeeper Coll and striker Aleixandri Lopez, as she struggled with the ball.
Another golden opportunity was lost in the 65th minute as Nigeria hit on the break through Asisat Oshoala who pondered on the ball with just one defender to beat. She, however, managed to back-heel the ball to Ajibade who blazed the ball over the bar.
Spain seized the moment immediately after that and surged forward dangerously but striker Paralluelo could not convert an excellent cross to her as she mysteriously missed the target, giving the Nigerian side a huge relief.
Spain had few other near-misses but hit the target just when most Nigerians had started thinking the duel might end in a barren draw, with just five minutes to go. But it was not to be as Alexia Putellas locked the game for her side in the 85th minute, leaving Nigerians to now pray for the fall of Japan when they meet the Super Falcons on Wednesday.
The Crest recalls that the Super Falcons fell to Brazil, 0-1, in their opening game in Group C. With Sunday’s result, the Nigerian girls now occupy the bottom of thee group.