SUPER Falcons defender Halimatu Ayinde has been ruled out from the 2024 Paris Olympics following an injury.
The defender was included in the team’s 18-woman list for the football events of the Olympic Games.
However, the FC Rosengård star suffered a knee injury during training, meaning she won’t take part in the Games billed for later this month.
“With a heavy heart, I announce I won’t be part of the Super Falcons for the Olympics,” she wrote on her X page on Thursday.
“I’m deeply grateful to FC Rosengård and my teammates for their support and love. Best of luck to my fellow Super Falcons. I’ll be cheering for you and will return stronger. Go Superfalcons!!”
Head Coach Randy Waldrum will now pick a replacement for the defender. He will pick from Jumoke Alani, Ifeoma Onumonu, Gift Monday, and Morufa Ademola. All were alternate players picked for the competition.
Nigeria who are playing in the football event of the Olympics for the first time in 16 years, are in Group C alongside heavyweights Spain and Brazil and Asian side Japan.
They will start their journey to the Olympics with a two-week training camp in Sevilla, Spain. Nigeria take on Brazil on July 25. Once done, they square up against the Spaniards three days later before locking horns with Japan on July 31.
