KUNLE SOLAJA.

Nigeria’s women football team, Super Falcons are returning to the Olympic Games 16 years after their last participation. Sports Village Square recalls that the team is starting from where they ended – a clash with Brazil.

The Brazilians were the last team the Super Facons faced at Beijing 2008. This time, they are meeting at Bordeaux in just 24 days from now.

 Sports Village Square investigates the Brazilian team which the Super Falcons will face at Stade de Bordeaux.

Brazil have a nice mix of star quality with experience, as well as a number of promising youth players expecting to make the squad.

Their new coach, Arthur Elias, joined the team after last year’s World Cup and has since led Brazil to a final in the Gold Cup earlier in the year.

The team looks on the up, and with Brazil recently being announced as the next hosts of the Women’s World Cup, there is plenty of optimism among the nation about its future.

Following Brazil’s women’s Copa America win in 2022, they sealed their spot at the Olympics and are now placed in a group along with Spain, Japan and Nigeria.

Their current group is tough, but with a third-place spot potentially being enough to qualify, Brazil expect  to reach the knockout stages. The team operates a 3-4-2-1 formation.

There are several experienced heads in the Brazil squad. Seven of the players are 30 years old or older, which would have given them numerous attempts at both the World Cup and the Olympics in the past.  

A further six of the starting eleven for Brazil are in their prime years of their career, between 27 and 30 years old.

This mix of experience, peak performers, and several young stars joining the team makes an exciting combination, shaping up a side ready to battle at the Olympics in the perfect conditions and balance of the squad.

Information  gleaned from  the publication of Total Football Analysis focuses on Brazil women’s team since  Elias took charge in October of last year, and how he has been setting his team up in the past few months.

His most likely starting line-up against the Super Falcons runs thus: Luciano, a 37-year old will be in goal following her strong showing in the Gold Cup earlier this year. In 12 league games for her club, Ferroviaria, she conceded five goals showing the strong form .

Antonia Silva is expected to start at the right side of the back three. She has performed the role in 14 of  the coach’s 15 games in charge. In the heart of defence – the centre of the back three, 21-year-old Lauren will likely play.

 At left centre-back, Rafaelle has regularly featured in the role. After swapping Arsenal  in England’s FA Women’s Super Leaguen for Orlando Pride, she is currently part of the defence which has only conceded eleven goals in thirteen league games.

Adriana, Rafaelle’s teammate, will likely hold the width on the right flank, playing as the wing-back, although she is an attacking-minded player.

Duda Sampaio of Corinthians is reportedly helping her club dominate the league with 12 wins in the 13 opening games of the season from the centre of the pitch.

Although she is a more attack-minded option, her partner, Duda Santos, will attempt to provide some balance. At left wing-back, Yasmim, a natural left-back, will play.

Bia Zaneratto is expected to start on the right-hand side in the front three.

The front three will remain fairly narrow, so even though she has often started as the centre forward for her club and managed nine  goal contributions in eight league starts, the role will be fairly similar for Brazil.

On the left side, 38-year-old Brazil legend Marta is expected to play, although she missed the Gold Cup earlier in the year.

Gabi Nunes will lead the line at centre forward after 11 goals in 23 starts for Levante in the Spanish Primera Division.