Super Falcons battle Lucy of Ethiopia in Abuja

Today is already here and Super Falcons are on the verge of slugging it out with their Ethiopian counterparts in the Qualifiers for the 2024 Olympics at the Abuja National Stadium.Both teams played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Addis Ababa after which the Falcons vowed to consolidate at home today.

Already the NFF has charged the girls to work as a team and ensure that they clinch victory this evening in Abuja.

The general secretary of NFF, Dr Sanusi Muhammed, gave the charge after watching the nine-time African champions train at the Turf Arena in the Federal Capital at the weekend.

He also reminded the players and officials that Nigeria has been absent from the past three Women Olympic Football Tournaments and this certainly does not credit the country’s rating as a leading global power in women’s football.

“The whole world still talks about how you captivated everyone at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand during the summer. The Government of Nigeria, the NFF and all stakeholders remain very proud of you. The NFF loves you and is happy with your outing and general conduct at the World Cup, on and off the field of play.

“Now, it is time to destroy this vexed issue of Olympics jinx. The last time you attended the Olympics was in 2008, in China. That was a long time ago.

Missing three consecutive tournaments is enough; we have to take our place in Paris. I am happy with your game in Addis Ababa and I know you have the capacity to finish off the job here in Abuja on Tuesday,” he said.

The Falcons trained at the Turf Arena on Friday and Saturday before moving to the MKO Abiola National Stadium on Sunday. Both teams had training sessions on the turf at the stadium yesterday ahead of today showdown.