5 months ago
39 Asisat Oshoala insists the Super Falcons have it takes to make it beyond the group stage at the 2024 Olympic Games.
The nine-time African champions are drawn in a tough group with current world champions Spain, Brazil and Japan.
The three countries are in the top 10 in the FIFA Women’s World World ranking.
The Super Falcons are currently placed 36th in the world.
“At the World Cup last year, people said the same thing,” Oshoala told FIFA.com.
“They said we were in the Group of Death [with Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland] and could not qualify. But we did. I have a lot of confidence in this team. We have many young players and we can make things difficult for our opponents. We don’t just think about getting out of the group, I think we can actually walk away with a medal.”
While Nigeria have yet to advance beyond the last eight in three appearances at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, their men’s team boast a rich history at the Games.
Their gold-medal winning team at Atlanta 1996 featured a dazzling array of stars including the likes of the Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, Taribo West and Sunday Oliseh.
“I know quite a few guys from the team,” Oshoala said. “When I go to the CAF awards, they always come over and say hi. We’ve had lunch together and they’re a really nice group of people.
“What they did at the Olympics was amazing. The male side have had great results even more recently too [they won silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016]. I hope we can follow them.”
Nigeria will kick off their Olympic campaign against Brazil in Bordeaux before travelling north to Nantes for their clashes with Spain and Japan.
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