Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala, is confident Nigeria can end the women’s football event of the forthcoming 2024 Olympics with a podium finish, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Falcons last appeared at the Olympics in Beijing 16 years ago and booked their qualification at this year’s tournament in Paris after a 1-0 aggregate victory over South Africa in the final round of the qualification in April.
Randy Waldrum’s side have been handed one of the toughest draws imaginable at Paris 2024, where they will take on Brazil, Japan and Spain in Group C and – on paper at least – appear to face an uphill battle to reach the knockout phase.
All of Nigeria’s opponents are in the top 10 of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking, with the African side currently placed 36th.
Speaking about the tough challenge in an interview with FIFA, Oshoala was confident about Nigeria’s chances of returning home with a medal.
“At the World Cup last year, people said the same thing,” Oshoala told FIFA.com.
“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, a modern-day women’s football icon, has starred for club and country on some of the game’s greatest stages.
The Nigerian striker has lit up FIFA Women’s World Cup matches, UEFA Champions League finals, and helped fire her teams to multiple trophy successes.
Despite her numerous achievements, the record six-time Women’s African Player of The Year is yet to showcase her talent at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament but that’s all set to change in Paris 2024.
“This will be a special event,” she told 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 will strive to lead from the front during Nigeria’s Olympic campaign – and she believes the team’s relentless energy makes them a force to reckon with.
“I know what I can do,” she said. “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.”
