Nigeria’s Super Falcons have begun preparations to pull their hat in the ring after 16 years, as their camp in the city of Jerez de la Frontera outside Sevilla has set timelines alive with most invited players in camp.
With 12 players present at breakfast on Monday, Team Administrator Mary Oboduku told thenff.com that two more were being expected at the team’s Hotel Barceló Montecastillo Golf and Resort by Monday afternoon.
“We started training on Sunday, and the camp is calm. The players are in very high spirits as they look forward to the tournament in France,” Oboduku told thenff.com.
At the head of the squad already in camp are team captain Rasheedat Ajibade, first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, defenders Chidinma Okeke and Nicole Payne, midfielders Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, and Jennifer Echegini, and forwards Deborah Abiodun and Esther Okoronkwo. Alternative players include goalkeeper Morufu Ademola and forward Gift Monday.
The likes of defenders Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie were, on the other hand, supposed to arrive on Monday afternoon at the team’s hotel.
The nine-time African champions have not taken part since the 2008 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in China and will face reigning Olympic champions Canada in a training match in Sevilla on Wednesday, 17 July.
The victory came in the form of penalty shootout after the teams had drawn 1-1 in regulation time and extra time.
The Falcons` last appearance in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament was a 0-1 loss to Korea Democratic People’s Republic, 0-1 to Germany and 1-3 to the then runners-up Brazil.
Women’s football debuted at the Olympic Games as a demonstration sport in 1996, but the Super Falcons made their mark in 2000 in Australia when they lost 1-3 each to China, eventual winners Norway and eventual silver medalists USA.
The lone goal, in the 1-3 pounding by the Chinese, was netted by Perpetua Nkwocha while Mercy Akide scored against Norway and USA.
Nigeria’s best outing so far in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament was in Athens, where the Super Falcons finished sixth after they exited in the quarter-finals 20 years ago.