By: Nwokocha Uche Peter ©
It's no longer news that the Olympics has started in Paris, France with so many events underway already. Some athletes have dug Gold Medals in their kitty. With the games ongoing, the cynosure of all eyes currently has been the football event where our darling Super Falcons are not holding sway. The most decorated Women's football team in Africa is starring elimination in the face. The Falcons after Match Day 2 are on the brink of bowing out from the 2024 Women's Olympic Football Event, with their chances of progression hanging on a balance. To avoid an early exit what must the Falcons do?
Falcons football match against Brazil in the ongoing Olympics
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE:
To save face and early dismissal from the event in a make-or-mare situation, the Falcons need a "WONDER" of some sort to secure a knockout berth. The question is now what must they do? They need to beat one of the football Women's powerhouses in Japan at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes today 31st July 2024. After losing their first two games by the slimmest and identical scorelines against Brazil and Spain respectively, now, they must do the unthinkable against mighty Japan. The snag is, that they must win by clear two goals and hope results elsewhere favour them to progress. A win is good but by a smaller margin might not do it. The team in general need no knell as a reminder. It's a win-or-burst situation. No other options except a WIN.
THE PROBLEM?
Under the tutelage of the American - Randy Waldrum, recently, the Super Falcons have been tough nuts to crack. The team has been solid defensively keeping their shape in an organised manner. Teams have found them stumbling blocks to manoeuvre. But there lies the problem. The Falcons have always found goals difficult to score even with the current African Women's Footballer of the Year Azzezat Oshoala in their ranks. The team lacks firepower and it's been their bane even in the ongoing football event. Reference: In their back-to-back losses to Brazil and Spain respectively, they created some openings but abysmally fluffed them.
Randy Waldrum, Super Falcons Head Coach
SOLUTION?
Our players are always anxious to put the ball into the back of the net. Their anxiousness has resulted in their profligacy. So, a change of personnel in the starting eleven and a bit of tactical tweak might suffice. Players like Azzezat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, Uchenna Kalu, Ifeoma Onumonu, Esther Okoronkwo, Chiwendu Ihezuo et al must wear their scoring boots today if we want to surpass our best outing which was in Athens 2004. No room for excuses. The die is cast. The stage is set. Our players need to come to the party in Nantes. The time is now! Let's go, Falcons, shall we?
Onome Ebi, Super Falcons Captain
Kick off time for today's Falcon match against the Japanese is 4pm Nigerian time at the Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes.