THE Super Falcons’ campaign at the Paris Olympics is over. A loss to Japan in their last Group C game condemned them to a disappointing exit from the competition.
It was 3-1 in the Asian side’s favour, ending the Super Falcons’ Olympics dreams.
Nigeria lost their first two games – Brazil and Spain – but went into Wednesday’s match aiming for a win to reignite their slim chance of making the quarter-finals of the women’s football event of the Olympics.
That flicker of hope was, however, extinguished by Japan who scored twice in ten minutes, starting from the 22nd minute, to silence Coach Randy Waldrum’s girls.
Hamano Maika scored first before Tanako Maina’s sweetly-taken free-kick beat Chiamaka Nnadozie in the 32nd minute.
Japan’s second goal perhaps prompted the Nigerian girls to push harder for a goal. They got that when Jennifer Echegini struck just in the 42nd minute to give the Super Falcons a glimmer of hope.
But that dream of a dramatic comeback was truncated after Kitagawa Hakaru scored deep into added time to restore Japan’s two-goal lead.
The second half was more of a settled case as Nigeria pushed effortlessly for a miraculous comeback. Japan equally had chances of scoring more but failed to add to their tally.
Nigeria last participated in the women’s football event of the Olympics 16 years ago.
In the other Group C match, Spain saw off Brazil 2-0 to win the lot. Japan finished second, with the South Americans ending the show as the third-placed side. Nigeria were bottom of the group with zero points having lost all three matches, concerning five times and scoring once.
