Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been eliminated from the women’s football tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics after Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat to Japan in their final Group C match.
The Falcons exit the tournament without a win having lost all group games and scoring just once in their three group matches.
The Falcons bow out in the group phase. #JPNNGA | #Paris2024 | #SoarSuperFalcons pic.twitter.com/iYlZC0WfZT
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) July 31, 2024
The Randy Waldrum-led side needed to beat Japan by a three-goal margin, but all didn’t go to plan inside the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, as Maika Hamano put the Asians in front in the 22nd minute with a well-worked goal.
The Japanese side’s dominance paid off again, ten minutes later through Mina Tanaka, whose close-range rebound doubled their lead.
However, with time running away in the second half, Nigeria drew one back, their first in the tournament, thanks to Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Jennifer Echegini, whose left-footed strike left Japanese goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita helpless.
With Nigeria looking to push on and get an equaliser, Japan got another goal to reclaim their two-goal lead through a sublime free kick from left back Hikaru Kitagawa, ending any possible hopes for the Falcons.
The defeat meant the Super Falcons’ return to the Olympics after a 16-year absence ended abruptly after the group stages.
The victory, however, sealed Japan’s progress into the quarterfinals alongside Spain, who topped the group after a 2-0 win over Brazil, with goals from Athenea del Castillo and Alexia Putellas.
