World champions Spain be warned – Five takeaways from Nigeria Super Falcons’ triumph over South Africa

The Super Falcons have booked their ticket to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, later this year, Soccernet.ng reports. 

Nigeria qualified for the event for the first time in 16 years after getting the better of South Africa 1-0 on aggregate.

The Super Falcons won the first leg 1-0 in Abuja on Friday before forcing the Banyana Banyana to a goalless draw in the return fixture in Pretoria on Tuesday.

Here are the takeaways from the encounter:

The Super Falcons have become a well-oiled unit
It was beautiful to see the Super Falcons play with such organisation and cohesiveness at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand last year.

It feels even more amazing to notice that the team has not lost any of those qualities eight months after the Mundial.

From the goalkeeper to the defenders to the midfielders and straight to the attackers, every single member of the team knows what is expected of her per time.

They press the opponent when needed, attack with discipline, and defend as a unit while working hard for each other. Stunning stuff, and kudos to Randy Waldrum.

Waldrum needs a great right-back cover for Alozie
Beautiful, fashionable, smart, and trendy, Michelle Alozie is one of the most popular Super Falcons players.

She is excellent at right full-back, as was evident at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, where she was one of Nigeria’s most outstanding players.

However, she is deployed as an attacker at her club, Houston Dash, which affected her defensive duties over the two games against South Africa.

Alozie was caught out of position a few times, did little to frustrate the South African attack from her flanks, and misplaced simple passes.

She bailed the team out a couple of times with timely interceptions, but her overall display was below average.

Nnadozie is the best goalkeeper in the world
Okay, one of.

Chiamaka Nnadozie is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. And that is without exaggeration.

She made a couple of saves in Abuja to help Nigeria keep a clean sheet, and she was the chief reason South Africa did not strike the Super Falcons’ net in Pretoria.

Calm, composed, and authoritative in the box, she came to her defence’s rescue the few times South Africa broke through.

Nnadozie has shown her abilities countless times for Paris FC in France and the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and it is so pleasing to see her repeat the feat for the Falcons.

Okeke is a great deputy for Plumptre
It was saddening for fans when Ashleigh Plumptre pulled out of these double-legged fixtures against South Africa due to injury.

It appeared as though Nigeria’s left-back wing would be vulnerable for South Africa to exploit.

However, not in Abuja or Pretoria did the Banyana Banyana find it an easy assignment to get past Okeke.

She tackled hard, positioned well, supported the attack, and gave her all over the two games.

Just like that of Osinachi Ohale, Halimotu Ayinde, and Christy Ucheibe, her role in this sweet victory will be understated, but she deserves her flowers as well as the others. 

World champion Spain be warned
After overcoming South Africa, Nigeria’s place in the Olympics is guaranteed.

The Super Falcons have been drawn in Group C for the 2024 Olympic Games, where they will compete against world champions Spain, Japan, and Brazil.

Anyone who expects Nigeria to be the whipping team in that group had better warn Spain and the others that these Super Falcons girls have grit and loads of guts. 

Bring on the world’s best, and they will not crumble. Canada, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland found out the hard way at the World Cup. Time for Spain and Brazil to feel the wrath. Straight to Paris.