Gusau confident Super Falcons will earn podium finish at Paris Olympics

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has tipped the Super Falcons to exceed expectations in the Paris 2024 Olympics Games slated to commence in July.

The Super Falcons over two legs defeated the Banyana Banyana of South Africa 1-0 to book a spot at the Olympics and end their 16-year absence from the competition.

Consequently, the 11-time African champions were drawn in Group C where they’ll face Japan, Spain and Brazil.

Gusau, in a conversation with Complete Sports, said the Falcons will be looking to better their 2023 World Cup outing where they lost to England on penalties in the round of 16, after finishing second behind Australia in Group B.

“We’ll try to better our World Cup performance where we crashed out without losing a single game during regulation time,” the NFF president said.

“The girls have shown resilience and determination to qualify for the Olympics against all odds and I trust them to carry that same spirit to the Games in Paris.

“The teams in our group are among the best in women’s football in the world but I can tell you that we can only respect them but will not be afraid to play any of them.”

The 60-year-old believes the Super Falcons will be determined to make a mark in Paris after missing out on qualification for the past three Olympics editions.

“We want to qualify from the group stage and target the semi-finals which puts us in the medal range. I believe the team will do well in Paris and return to the country with medals on their neck.

“Missing three previous Olympics qualifications will motivate the girls to make their mark in Paris.”