As it happened: Nigeria 0 vs Brazil 1 - Oshoala-less Super Falcons lose Olympic opener
GOODBYE: That's all on tonight's coverage of Nigeria vs Brazil Olympic game. Up next for the Super Falcons is a date with World Champions Spain on Sunday. Brazil face Japan in their next game.
It was a winnable game for the Falcons, it was even on a platter before the Brazilians
— David Arowojolu (@Its_superdave) July 25, 2024
But the profligacy of the ladies in the first half, miscued chances & they still not knowing how to hold up play & spring passes together is still a bane from the WC#NGABRA #Olympic #Paris2024
Can we just promote Ajibade to super Eagles #NGABRA
— Adewale Aderibigbe (@hardeywale) July 25, 2024
Kudos to the Super Falcons. Not for a lack of effort.
— Tomiwa Ojo (@10Qmedia) July 25, 2024
Randy Waldrum has built a solid team.
Demehin, Ajibade, Uchebe, Abiodun, Alozie... were especially good.#NGABRA #OlympicGames
REACTIONS: Many Nigerians have been reacting to Nigeria's opening game defeat to Brazil. Here's some from social media:
FULL TIME: Nigeria 0 Brazil 1. The final whistle blows. The Super Falcons gave Brazil a good fight but couldn't convert their chances.
ADDED TIME: 4 minutes of the 6 added minutes to play. The Super Falcons have a corner. Can they equalise?
Nigeria had big chances on the first half. Need someone up front who can convert those Ajibade crosses. The one and only time the Super Falcons defence went to ‘sleep’ is when they conceded. Can still hurt Brazil & get into the game. #SoarSuperFalcons #NGABRA pic.twitter.com/m16wesYqi1
— E (@iamOkon) July 25, 2024
89' Only one minute of the regulation 90 plus added time to play. Can the Super Falcons find a way back?
75' SUBSTITUTION FOR NIGERIA. Nicole Payne comes on for Chidinma Okeke. Michelle Alozie has moved to left-back while Payne slots in at right-back.
71' BIG CHANCE FOR NIGERIA Ajibade unleashes a powerful strike but it was central enough for the Brazilian goalkeeper Lorena Leite to push away, but Christy Ucheibe could not catch the rebound very well.
66' SUBSTITUTIONS FOR NIGERIA: Uchenna Kanu and Ifeoma Onumonu come on to replace Jennifer Echegini and Toni Payne, respectively. Can they swing the pendulum in Nigeria's favour?
62' We've played over one hour of football. Brazil have dominated this second period so far. Is it time for Randy Waldrum to ring the changes?
We have the world best female player in our team but this coach choose not to play her!! What kind of nonsense is this? Nobody to score goals!!
— Abi (@itzyoungabi) July 25, 2024
#NGABRA
Suggestions to the @NGSuper_Falcons coach, bring in @AsisatOshoala, and Onumonu, remove Ihezuo and Echejini, they are BOTH SURPLUS TO REQUIREMENTS.#NGABRA
— Ola Abdul-Fatah (@philabobo1) July 25, 2024
Is it time to bring on Asisat Oshoala? Nigerian fans are furious that coach Randy Waldrum hasn't called on the former Barcelona striker.
SECOND 45' Substitution for Nigeria as the second half gets underway. Esther Okoronkwo replaces Chiwendu Ihezuo up front for the Super Falcons.
Behind at the break. Much work to be done in the second half. #NGABRA | #Paris2024 | #SoarSuperFalcons pic.twitter.com/biio2qt8T0
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) July 25, 2024
HALF TIME: The first 45 minutes end with Nigeria trailing Brazil. Can the Super Falcons mount a comeback win?
WHAT A CHANCE: A well-worked Super Falcons move gets to Jennifer Echegini, but she couldn't keep her shot down.
POSSIBLE BRAZIL PENALTY: There was a long VAR check for a possible penalty to Brazil but the Super Falcons survive, with only a corner kick awarded to Brazil.
45' +7 minutes additional time added. Can the Super Falcons pull a comeback before the break?
36' GOAL: Gabi Nunes put Brazil in front with a thunderous strike past Nnadozie. Nothing the goalkeeper could do about that.
35' Brazil got the ball in the net courtesy of a strike by Martha, but it was ruled out for offside.
33' We're past the half-hour mark already, but the scoreline remains 0:0. Nigeria have had the better chances so far.
From the resulting corner kick, Demehin heads over the bar.
Cristy Ucheibe then followed up with a powerful shot from outside the box, but the Brazilian goalkeeper was able to parry it away.
THE SUPER FALCONS COULDN'T SCORE FROM HERE!! WHAT A BIG CHANCE MISSED!#OlympicGames #NGABRA pic.twitter.com/beowEIsni4
— Pulse Sports Nigeria (@PulseSportsNG) July 25, 2024
15' BIG CHANCE: Nigeria has three big chances in quick succession. First, Ajibade, Nigeria's best player so far, beats her marker and crosses for Ihezuo, whose header was saved by Brazil's goalkeeper.
Good news, Michelle Alozie is able to continue. She's back on the field.
It is looking serious. #OlympicGames #NGABRA pic.twitter.com/s2em1jIRjA
— Pulse Sports Nigeria (@PulseSportsNG) July 25, 2024
9' Injury to Michelle Alozie. I hope she's okay to continue.
6' Rasheedat Ajibade on the right dribbles past many Brazillian defenders and gets into the box but couldn't pick out a teammate. Nigeria gradually growing into the game.
3' FREEKICK TO BRAZIL: A dangerous freekick for Brazil near the Super Falcons box,- but it came to nothing.
KICKOFF: Brazil get us underway in Bordeaux. Martha starts for the Seleção for a record 187th time.
Spain came from a goal down to defeat Japan 2-1 in their opening game of the group, courtesy of goals from Bonmati and Caldentey. Fujino curled in a beautiful freekick to put World Number 7 Japan ahead in the 13th minute.
The Super Falcons will need all the best of wishes as they have been drawn in a tough group C with World Champions Spain, Japan, and Brazil.
Wishing this group the very best as they start their Olympic journey tonight. My heart is with you 💚🇳🇬@NGSuper_Falcons pic.twitter.com/2CcErSyuPu
— Ashleigh Plumptre (@ashplumptre) July 25, 2024
Injured Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has sent her good wishes to the team. The former Leicester City star says her heart is with the girls as they take on Brazil in their first game.
Here's how we 🇳🇬 will line up against 🆚 Brazil 🇧🇷 tonight #SoarSuperFalcons| #Paris2024   | #FalconsinParis| #Olympics    @TheNFF pic.twitter.com/LmhzSXVKFz
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) July 25, 2024
BENCH: Oshoala, Oluehi, Kanu, Payne, Maccleans, Onumonu, Okoronkwo, Alani
NIGERIA'S STARTING 11: Nnadozie; Alozie, Demehin, Ohale, Okeke; Ucheibe, Payne, Abiodun; Ajibade (C), Echegini; Ihezuo
HELLO and welcome to the live coverage of Nigeria vs Brazil Olympic game. Coach Randy Waldrum has named his starting eleven with captain Rasheedat Ajibade leading out the Super Falcons.