By Harrison O.Osabuohie
This final can be likened to the anticipation and intensity that characterized UEFA European Football Championship league games, like a Real Madrid or Barcelona versus Manchester City, Chelsea, or Arsenal fixture.
However, it goes beyond that, as the love, duty, and pride of a nation are at stake with every passing minute of the game.
The champion of Europe will emerge in Germany on that night. Spain, who knocked out hosts Germany and France among others on their way to this final, still boasts stars many would love to see, such as sensational youngster Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Mikel Oyarzabal, Mikel Merino, and many more. Similarly, the English side features players like Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Kobbie Mainoo, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Eberechi Eze, and more in the final action of Euro 2024 at 8:00 pm (20:00 CET) on Sunday in an explosive weekend of action.
READ ALSO: France defeats Portugal on penalties to reach Euro 2024 semi-finals against Spain
Paris 2024 Olympics lit up with preparation from The Nigerian Super Falcons
It is their first-ever appearance at the women’s Olympic football tournament in 16 years, as their camp in the city of Jerez de la Frontera outside Seville was lit up with 12 players at breakfast on Monday, July 8, 2024.
The team’s administrator, Mary Oboduku, said that two more players were expected at the team’s Hotel Barcelo’ Montecastillo Golf and Resort by Monday afternoon. Meanwhile, Nigeria Super Falcons forward Asisat, who was picked by Waldrum to represent Nigeria along with five other Olympic players, received bouquets from their club, National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side Bay FC in the United States.
According to Mary, “we started training on Sunday, and the camp is calm. The players are in very high spirits as they look forward to the tournament in France.”
The team’s captain, Raaheedat Ajibade, and first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie are already ahead of the squad in camp. Goalkeeper Tochukwu Chiehi, defender Chidinma Okeke, Nicole Payne, midfielders Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini, and forward Esther Okoronkwo are also in. Goalkeeper Morufa Ademola and forward Gift Monday are some of the alternate players who are in camp. Defenders Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie were expected by lunchtime on Monday.
Nigeria will open their campaign with a clash against Brazil before facing Spain and Japan later in the group.
The Beninois Ghost reappears…
The Nigerian Super Eagles have once again been drawn against the Republic of Benin national football team (also known as ‘the Cheetahs’) in the much-anticipated Morocco Total Energies CAF African Cup of Nations 2025.
According to reports from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) website, the draw will see the Nigerian Super Eagles face off against “the Cheetahs,” who recently defeated them in Abidjan during the first edition of the expanded 48-team, from 32, quadrennial international men’s soccer championship qualifiers, contested by the national teams of the member associations of FIFA.
The tournament is due to take place from July 11 to 19, 2026, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America.
Recalling that Nigeria lost to Benin’s side in June 2024, “the Cheetahs” came from behind to beat Nigeria Super Eagles 2-1 in their Group C World Cup qualifying match.
A goal from Frank Onyeka, who plays for Brentford Football Club in England, put Nigeria ahead, but an equalizer in the 37th minute from Steve Dossou of the Cheetahs leveled the score before halftime. Mounni scored the winning goal for the Cheetahs at the 45+3 minute mark. This result placed Nigeria at the bottom of Group C with four points.
The outcome prompted the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to consider a new foreign coach, amidst mixed reactions from Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen against the newly appointed coach of Rivers United Club, Findi George, who was in charge of the Super Eagles when Nigeria lost to the Republic of Benin national football team.
