Super Falcons star calls on teammates to avoid defeat against Spain

Super Falcons lost their opening game of the 2024 Olympic football competition to Brazil in a narrow 1-0 defeat.

Randy Waldrum’s team must find a way to get a win against World Cup winner Spain to avoid crashing out of the group stage.

Midfielder, Payne has asked her teammates to get inspiration from the Super Eagles' 3-2 win over Spain at the 1998 World Cup.

Former Sevilla midfielder Toni Payne declared ahead of Nigeria's crucial encounter against world champions Spain that the Super Falcons are capable of competing with any national side in the world.

According to Spanish sports daily AS, Payne said, "We can compete with anyone. One of the things we work on most with Randy Waldrum is tactics, being organised, getting used to playing together, unifying everyone’s style.

Speaking on the players to look out for in the Spanish team, Payne selected Patri Guijarro to support her claim that Aitana Bonmatí is not the most threatening player on Spain's squad.

Payne continued, "Many people will say Aitana and it is obvious that she is. I would say Patri Guijarro.

"She is very mobile, she is very good with the ball, she also surprises by getting into the area, she scores goals and we have to be very careful with her."

Toni Payne and her younger sister Nicole, who impressed after coming off the bench against Brazil, will be aiming to be included in the starting lineup against Spain.