By IJEOMA OKIGBO

Nigeria’s Super Falcons lost their 2024 Paris Olympics Games opener by a lone goal to the Canarinhas of Brazil.

The game played on Thursday saw the Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) nine-time champions displayed spirited performance but failed to convert their chances.

Rasheedat Ajibade led the Falcons to the turf of the Stade Matmut Atlantique, as Nigeria’s flag was flown at the tournament for the first time in 16 years, and truly led from the front with some excellent runs down the left of the South Americans.

Her brave run down the line in the 7th minute was blocked, and in the 16thminute, she was the initiator of a double-barreled attack on the Brazilian goal.

The move saw Chinwendu Ihezuo’s shot blocked and Christy Ucheibe’s follow-up punched away.

In the 20th minute, Chiamaka Nnadozie saved from the rampaging Portilho, and again read well a long-range drive by Gabi Nunes five minutes later.

In the 36th minute, ageless Brazil captain Marta thought she had given her team the lead when she struck past Nnadozie as the Falcons’ defence failed to clear, but she was ruled offside.

Moments later, the Nigerian defence was again caught napping, and Brazilian Gabi Nunes, set free by a wonder of a pass by Marta, fired past Nnadozie, the ball cantering in from the underside of the bar in the 37th minute.

In the closing moments, the Falcons broke forward with a sweet team move, only for Jennifer Echegini’s lift to rise above the opposition goalpost.

On the hour mark, Marta’s dipping curl from the left was thwarted by the upright, and Nnadozie saved from Ludmila three minutes later.

Ajibade forced another smart save from the Brazilian goalkeeper in the 71st minute, and Ucheibe did the same with minutes left. But the Canarinhas held on to pick all three points in the evening.

The Super Falcons will clash with world champions Spain who defeated Japan 2-1 in Group C’s opener in Nantes on Sunday evening in their next match. (NAN)

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