The Super Falcons, Nigeria’s senior women’s football team, have been knocked out of the Paris 2024 women’s football competition after a 3-1 loss to Japan in their final Group C match at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes on Wednesday, July 31.
Following consecutive losses to Brazil (1-0) and Spain (1-0), the Super Falcons required a two-goal margin victory over Japan to advance.
However, their hopes were dashed after conceding three first-half goals to Japan’s Maika Hamano (22nd minute), Mina Tanaka (32nd minute), and Hikaru Kitagawa (45’+5′).
Midfielder Jennifer Echegini scored Nigeria’s sole goal in the 42nd minute. The Super Falcons finished last in the group with zero points, having lost all three matches, conceding five goals and scoring only once.
This marks Nigeria’s first participation in the women’s football event of the Olympics in 16 years.
In the other Group C match, Spain defeated Brazil 2-0 to top the group, while Japan finished second, and Brazil secured third place.
