As the Super Falcons get set to compete at the Paris Olympic Games after a 16-year absence, goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, 36, is the only Olympian in the current side, having appeared at the 2008 edition in China, writes GODWIN AIKIGBE
Veteran goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi stands as the lone survivor from the Super Falcons squad that graced the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China in the Paris 2024-bound team
At 36, Oluehi watched with pride as her younger comrades secured their spot in the Games by holding Banyana Banyana to a goalless draw in Pretoria last Tuesday, sealing a 1-0 aggregate victory, courtesy of captain Rasheedat Ajibade’s winner in the first leg fixture in Abuja four days earlier.
Back in 2008, Eastern Flames of Saudi Arabia shot stopper Oluehi, then 21, served as the backup to Precious Dede in a squad that endured a tough run, finishing at the bottom of their group after losing all three matches.
Some of the notable members of the ‘Class of 2008’ tutored by Joseph Oladipo were first choice goalie Dede, Efioanwan Ekpo, Rita Chikwelu, Ulunma Jerome, Perpetua Nkwocha, Onome Ebi, Florence Ajayi, Stella Mbachu, Ifeanyi Chiejine, Cynthia Uwak, Christie George (captain) and Faith Ikidi.
Now, fate repeats itself in Paris as Oluehi finds herself playing second fiddle once more, this time behind the impressive Chiamaka Nnadozie, who kept five clean sheets in six matches during the qualifying series for the Paris Games.
Pitted in a tough Group C in Paris — tagged ‘Group of Death’ by observers — against world champions Spain, former world champions Japan and Brazil, the chances that the Saudi-based shot stopper would get a look in from coach Randy Waldrum looks unlikely.
Even at that, staying relevant while her teammates from the 2008 squad have all called time on their careers, except Israel-based Onome Ebi, is remarkable and something to cheer about.
Reflecting on Oluehi’s journey, former Super Falcons midfielder Maureen Mmadu, a 2000 and 2004 Olympics veteran, described Oluehi as a committed, skilled and all-action goalkeeper.
“I think she has been a very good keeper and very dedicated, and she really pushes herself during trainings. She is always ready to give her best; she is not afraid to save balls with any part of her body. She works so hard on-and-off the pitch,” Mmadu, who also appeared at four FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, said.
Oluehi’s longevity doesn’t come as a surprise to many, especially playing in a position where age often brings refinement, but still being active at club and international levels, whereas Nigeria’s number one at Beijing 2008, Dede, who was 18 at the time, has long retired, makes her case particularly special.
Her former coach, Kadiri Ikhana, praised her perseverance, suggesting she deserves recognition for her enduring relevance.
“That lady deserves an honour to have kept herself and still be relevant 16 years after representing the country at the 2008 Olympic Games.
“Honestly, she deserves an honour. I wish her the very best in Paris, where I believe her experience will be useful to the team,” former African Coach of The Year, Ikhana, who coached Nigeria’s men’s team at the 2004 Olympic Games, said.
Born on May 2, 1987, Oluehi will be going for a swan song in Paris, as she will be 41 by the time the edition known as the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad takes place in Los Angeles, California, United States, from July 14 to 30, 2028.
In this case, the chances of her rolling back the years, especially at international level, look quite unrealistic.
However, she will be 37 before the commencement of the Paris 2024 Olympics on July 26, which will make her one of the oldest footballers at the global sports fiesta.
To this end, Stella Mbachu, Oluehi’s teammate at the 2008 Olympics, is delighted with how the keeper’s checkered career has planned.
The former Falcons star striker, who scored 20 goals in 88 outings for the 11-time African champions from 1999 to 2014, attributed Oluehi’s longevity to discipline and focus.
“I am very happy for her. She deserves it because she has always been a disciplined and highly focused player. When we went to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, she was one of the youngest players in our team, and I think it is her time, and I want her to enjoy it,” the Mgbidi-born retired footballer said.
She has been active since 2006, when she cut her professional teeth with Bayelsa United, where she played for four years before switching to another Nigeria Women’s Football League Premiership side, Sunshine Stars.
Oluehi, who has represented Nigeria in three FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, also played for Bobruichanka Bobruisk (Belarus), Medkila IL (Norway), Pozoalbense (Spain), Maccabi Kishronot Hadera (Israel) and Hakkarigücü Spor (Turkey), before joining Saudi side Eastern Flames last season.
In a country where players based abroad rarely come back home to play in the domestic league, Oluehi returned twice from Europe to feature for NWFL giants Rivers Angels, thus highlighting her passion to play football at any level.
The Falcons, eyeing a better performance than their 2004 quarter-finals finish, will lean on her massive experience as they embark on their Olympic journey in France.
The Falcons have featured in the Women’s Football Tournament at three Olympic Games since 2000, with their best result being a quarter-final finish at the 2004 edition in Athens, Greece. That team was coached by the late Godwin Izilein and paraded stars like Dede, Yinka Kudaisi, Kikelomo Ajayi, Faith Ikidi, Efioanwan Ekpo, Cynthia Uwak, Vera Okolo and the team’s record scorer, Perpetua Nkwocha.
Oluehi will be expected to make her experience count this time as the rest of the Falcons players make their Olympic debut in France, aiming to surpass the 2004 feat.
