Team Nigeria had it tough on Day Two of the Paris 2024 Olympics, with the Super Falcons, Offiong Edem, and Olaore Olaitan Adam all falling short in their respective events.
Football
The Super Falcons of Nigeria suffered their second consecutive defeat at the Paris Olympics, losing 1-0 to Spain. Despite lineup changes with Asisat Oshoala and Esther Okoronkwo, Nigeria couldn’t capitalize on key chances. Spain dominated the first half, with Nigeria’s goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie making four crucial saves.
Spain continued to press in the second half, and although a goal by Salma Paralluelo was ruled offside by VAR, they eventually broke the deadlock in the 85th minute with a free kick from Alexia Putellas. In added time, substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo had a chance to equalize but was thwarted by Spain’s goalkeeper Cata Coll. This leaves Nigeria at the bottom of Group C with zero points and no goals scored. The Super Falcons now have to defeat Japan in their final group game to stand a chance of qualifying.
Table Tennis
Offiong Edem was defeated 4-0 by Brazil’s Bruna Takahashi in the women’s singles Round of 64. Despite pushing Takahashi to tiebreaks in the last two sets, Edem couldn’t secure a win, marking her fifth Olympic appearance with a first-round exit.
Boxing
Olaore Olaitan Adam lost in the Men’s 92 kg preliminaries to Kazakhstan’s Oralbay Aibek. Adam’s strong start was undone by a warning that cost him points in the second round, leading to a final score of 26-30 across all judges.
The Nigerian contingent will hope for a better outing on day three as Fatimo Bello takes on Jia Nan Yuan of France in the Women’s Single Table Tennis and D’Tigress take on Australia in Women’s Basketball
