Olympics
How Super Falcons retain tradition of not losing to Banyana in South Africa to land at Paris 2024
Nigeria accomplished a glorious return to the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament after 16 years, following an impressive all-round performance in Pretoria on Tuesday night that stifled South Africa and rendered their home advantage a nullity.
The reigning African champions, who had boasted that Nigeria’s one-goal win in Abuja on Friday would be swiftly cancelled within the first quarter-hour, sped off the blocks at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium but found a resilient Super Falcons unwilling to give an inch.
Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was called upon to save from a deep-flying corner as early as the third minute, but in a back-and-forth theme that characterized the entire game, Nigeria was on the front foot immediately after, with Chinwendu Ihezuo seeing her headed ball caught by Kaylin Swart after a cross by captain Rasheedat Ajibade.
Ihezuo failed to connect with a header to Osinachi Ohale’s dipping free-kick in the 27th minute, but then Nigeria breathed better when Thembi Kgatlana made a hash of an opportunity as the Banyana broke forward.
In the second half, Linda Motlhalo, Jermaine Seoposenwe and Nomvula Kgoale proved a handful for The Pride of Africa, as they seized the midfield and got a couple of good passes to their danger-lady, Kgatlana. But at all times, Ohale, Chidinma Okeke, Christy Ucheibe and goalkeeper Nnadozie were alert and unruffled.
Nnadozie, who plays for Paris FC in France, further enhanced her reputation and market value with great saves in the 70th and 86th minutes. In-between, Ihezuo’s flicked header to an Ajibade in-swinger went narrowly away.
The one-goal win on aggregate means the Falcons will participate in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time since 2008, and will join Brazil, Spain and Japan in a potentially-explosive Group C in July.
“We did it! We did it! We are finally going to play in the Olympics,” Ajibade said excitedly at the final whistle.
Athletes representing 184 countries sailed through the Seine River in Paris for the glamour-filled Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024.
Team Nigeria’s Captain, Anuoluwapo Opeyori and Flag bearer, Oluwalobiloba Amusan
Even as the Games formally begin, the Nigerian contingent led by Anuoluwapo (The mercy of the Lord is much) Opeyori was part of the history making event.
It was the first time that the athletes did not have to march on the tracks. Rather, they sailed over ta river.
On Friday, football legend, Zinedine Zidane had his profile further raised as he was the first of the galaxy of stars to step out at the never-to-be-forgotten Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024.
The French football and Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane launched the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with movie star Jamel Debbouze. Some beautiful images for these historic Olympics in France.
It is well known that the founder of the Olympic Games is a French man, Pierre de Coubertin who was a champion of sport in education. In 1894 he proposed a revival of the Olympic Games. Now his country is hosting the Games.
The address of the President of the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, Tony Estanguet, made a passing connection to the France and the Games.
In his speech, he thanked the “lovers of the Games”. Despite the rain, he reminded everyone that ‘France and the Olympic Games are a great love story.
In his speech, Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, hailed Paris as the first Olympic Games to fully respect ‘gender parity in competition’.
French President Emmanuel Macron then declared the Paris Olympic Games open, with the Eiffel Tower in the background, uttering the protocol formula that officially marks the opening of the Olympic fortnight.
“I declare the Paris Games open, the 33rd Olympic Games of the modern era,” he declared during the opening ceremony, after speeches by Tony Estanguet, patron of the Paris 2024 organisation, and Bach.
Nigerians among athletes that sail through Seine River for Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Great man! Zidane opens the 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony
France and Olympic Games are a great love story
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