The Nigerian women's national football team, also known as the Super Falcons, has commenced preparations for their first participation in the Women's Olympic Football Tournament in 16 years. The team's training camp in Jerez de la Frontera, located outside Sevilla, is bustling with the majority of the invited players having reported for duty.
With 12 players assembled for breakfast on Monday, Team Administrator Mary Oboduku shared that two more players were expected to arrive at the team's base in Hotel Barceló Montecastillo Golf and Resort later in the day. The team commenced training activities on Sunday, and the atmosphere within the camp is serene, with the players eagerly anticipating the forthcoming tournament in France, as reported by thenff.com.
Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade and first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie are among the key members who are already part of the squad present in the camp. Goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, defenders Chidinma Okeke, and Nicole Payne, midfielders Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini, and forward Esther Okoronkwo have also reported for duty. Additionally, alternate players, goalkeeper Morufa Ademola, and forward Gift Monday are also in camp.
The team is expecting the arrival of defenders Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie at the hotel later on Monday.
The nine-time African champions, who previously participated in the Women's Olympic Football Tournament in China in 2008, are scheduled to engage in a training match against the reigning Olympic champions, Canada, in Sevilla on Wednesday, 17th July.
Canada's women's national team secured a victory over Sweden by 3-2 in a penalty shootout, following a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time, to claim the gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Tokyo.
During their previous appearance at the Women's Olympic Football Tournament, the Falcons faced defeats against Korea Democratic People's Republic (0-1), Germany (0-1), and eventual silver medalists Brazil (1-3).
Women's football was featured as a demonstration sport during the 1996 Olympic Games, with the Super Falcons marking their debut in 2000 in Australia. They recorded 1-3 losses against China, eventual winners Norway, and eventual silver medalists USA.
Notably, Perpetua Nkwocha scored the solitary goal against China, while Mercy Akide found the net against Norway and the USA.
The Super Falcons' most successful campaign in the Women's Olympic Football Tournament was in Athens 20 years ago, culminating in a 6th-place finish after their elimination in the quarter-finals.