Paris 2024: Nnadozie a boost as Falcons seek to improve Athens record

 

By Julius Okorie

Reigning African goalkeeper of the year and Super Falcons dependable safehand Chiamaka Nnadozie earned a well-deserved eight over ten rating as Super Falcons grabbed Olympic ticket at the expense of Banyana Banyana of South Africa.

Nnadozie who was recently voted best goalkeeper in Europe on number of saves made, continued her tantalizing performance making five saves in the South Africa vs Nigeria encounter thus keeping clean sheet at both ends of the two legged play-off in Abuja and Pretoria respectively.

Recall that the Paris FC safehand also had a good run at the last World Cup in Australia and New Zealand with one of the highlights being a penalty save against Canada en-route the round of 16 where the team eventually crashed out after mother of all battles against England.

Nnadozie's form is sure to be a huge boost to the Super Falcons who will be hoping to better their achievement at the 2004 Olympics in Athens where they made it to the Quarterfinals before losing to 2-1 to Germany.

On that occasion the Falcons had shot into the lead thanks to former international Mercy Akide who grabbed a 49th minute goal. But the Germans will not have it as they bounced back in the second half with two quick goals in the 76th and 81st minute to clinch victory.

 The Athens outing was the best for the Falcons who had failed to go past the group stage at their last outing in Beijing, China in 2008.

The worst outing however was at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 where the team experienced what could pass for Baptism of fire losing to China 3-1, to Norway 3-1 and to USA 3-1 to exit just in the group stage. Only eight countries participated in that event, viz Germany, Brazil, Sweden and Australia in Group A. Group B had United States, Norway, China and Nigeria with United States and Norway progressing to semifinals. Norway eventually emerged champions after beating United States 3-2 in the final.

With a catalogue of experience behind the Randy Waldrum tutored side, the 2024 Olympics in Paris promises to be a different ball game despite being pitched against Spain, Japan and Brazil.

The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris will hold from Friday July 26 to Sunday August 11.