Nigeria’s Super Falcons Wednesday suffered a 3-1 defeat to Japan in their final group match to crash out of the women’s football event at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The team needed victory with a two-goal margin to advance from Group B.
Three first-half goals from Hikaru Kitagawa, Maika Hamano, and Mina Tanaka secured the Japanese team’s victory. Jennifer Echegini scored the Falcons’ consolation, their only goal at the Games.
Nigeria started strong, winning a corner kick in the first minute. However, Japan quickly took control with a high press on the Nigerian defence. Oluwatosin Demehin had to be agile and alert to head out a dangerous cross in the 16th minute.
