Nigeria’s Super Falcons were knocked out of the Paris 2024 Olympics on Wednesday after a disappointing group-stage performance, in which they failed to earn a single point in their three matches.
The African champions struggled throughout the tournament, starting with a narrow 1-0 loss to Brazil. They then fell by the same score to Spain before suffering a 3-1 defeat against Japan in their final match.
Nigeria needed to win by three goals in their final match to have any hope of advancing to the knockout stage, but Japan’s Hamano Maika dashed those hopes with a goal in the 22nd minute. This was followed by a second goal from Tanaka Mina soon after, leaving the Falcons in a difficult spot.
Jennifer Echegini managed to score for Nigeria just before halftime, but Japan’s Kitagawa Hikaru quickly responded with a free kick that restored their two-goal lead, effectively ending Nigeria’s Olympic journey.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
