Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala, has expressed confident that Nigeria can secure a podium finish in the upcoming 2024 Olympic women’s football event.
The Nigerian women’s team, absent from the Olympics since their last appearance in Beijing 16 years ago, secured their spot in Paris with a narrow 1-0 aggregate win over South Africa in the final round of the April qualification.
Randy Waldrum’s squad faces a formidable challenge in Group C, where they will compete against top-ranked teams Brazil, Japan, and Spain.
Despite Nigeria’s current 36th position in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking, Oshoala is optimistic about their chances in the tough group.
Reflecting on past challenges, Oshoala told FIFA, “At the World Cup last year, people said the same thing. They said we were in the Group of Death with Australia, Canada, and the Republic of Ireland and could not qualify. But we did. I have a lot of confidence in this team. We have many young players and we can make things difficult for our opponents. We don’t just think about getting out of the group, I think we can actually walk away with a medal.”
Oshoala has established herself as a prominent figure in women’s football, excelling on major stages such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and leading her teams to multiple victories.
Despite her accolades, including being a record six-time Women’s African Player of The Year, she has yet to compete in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament – an opportunity she eagerly anticipates at Paris 2024.
“This will be a special event,” she expressed to FIFA.com. “I’ve never been to the Olympics before, but I’ve heard a lot about it. I’m looking forward to it so much – if I make the team!”
Oshoala aims to be a pivotal force in Nigeria’s Olympic campaign, believing that the team’s relentless spirit is their greatest asset. “I know what I can do,” she asserted. “I know what I offer on and off the pitch. Even when I was on the best team in the world, I knew what I could contribute.
“I always encourage the younger ones and help them understand they can give even more. I work hard for the team and try to make sure I do my part of the business – and that way everyone takes care of their business as well. We’re a team that won’t stop running until we hear the whistle. That’s difficult for the opposition teams, because they can’t break us.”
