The Nigerian women’s national team is gearing up for a challenging start to their Olympic campaign as they prepare to face Brazil in their Group C opener on July 25th at the Stade Matmut-Atlantique in Bordeaux, France.
Match Preview
Nigeria enters the tournament with momentum after an impressive showing at the 2023 World Cup, where they advanced to the Round of 16 before narrowly falling to England on penalties. The Super Falcons successfully navigated a difficult qualifying path to reach their first Olympics since 2008, defeating Ethiopia, Cameroon and South Africa.
Brazil, on the other hand, is looking to bounce back from a disappointing group stage exit at last year’s World Cup. The Seleção have brought in new head coach Arthur Elias to lead their quest for an elusive first Olympic gold medal in women’s football.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Predicted Nigeria Lineup (4-3-3): Demehin, Okoronkwo, Payne, Ucheibe, Kanu, Ohale, Alozie, Oshoala, Ajibade, Okeke, Nnadozie
Predicted Brazil Lineup (4-3-3): Lorena, Yaya, Marta, Adriana, Thaís, Duda, Rafaelle, Tamires, Ludmila, Cristiane, Antonia.
Injury and Team News
Nigeria has no major injury concerns heading into the match. Brazil will be without midfielder Debinha, who was surprisingly left out of the squad by new coach Elias.
Key Players to Watch
For Nigeria, all eyes will be on star forward Asisat Oshoala. The Barcelona striker brings a wealth of experience and goal-scoring prowess to lead the attack. Midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade will also be crucial in creating chances and controlling the tempo.
Brazil’s attack is spearheaded by legendary forward Marta, who at 38 years old is set to play in her final major international tournament. Creative midfielder Adriana and experienced striker Cristiane round out a potent offensive trio.
Where to Watch
In the United States, the match will be broadcast live on Telemundo and streamed on Peacock and the NBC Sports App. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT.
Live Stream and TV Schedule for Other Countries
- UK: discovery+, discovery+ App, EuroSport Player UK,
- Canada: CBC Sports App, cbcsports.ca
- Australia: Stan Sport, 9Now
- Brazil: Canais Globo, Zapping, Claro TV+, Amazon Prime Video, Sky+, CazéTV, Vivo Play, SporTV, Globo
- France: Eurosport Player France, MAX
- Germany: Eurosport Player Deutschland
- Spain: Eurosport Player Spain
Head-to-Head Record
These teams have only met once before in Olympic competition, with Brazil defeating Nigeria 3-1 in the group stage of the 2008 Beijing Games.
Recent Form
Nigeria: WDWWDL
Brazil: WLLWWW
Group C Standings
- Brazil – 0 pts
- Japan – 0 pts
- Nigeria – 0 pts
- Spain – 0 pts
Prediction (Who Will Win)
While Nigeria has shown they can compete with top teams, Brazil’s experience and attacking talent give them a slight edge. Look for a closely contested match with Brazil potentially emerging victorious.
Nigeria Women vs Brazil Women Prediction: Nigeria 1-2 Brazil
The Super Falcons will need to be defensively organized to contain Brazil’s creative attackers, while looking to hit on the counter through the pace of Oshoala and Ajibade. For Brazil, controlling possession and creating chances for Marta and Cristiane will be key to breaking down Nigeria’s resolute defense.
This opening clash sets the stage for an intriguing Group C, with both teams aiming to start their Olympic campaigns on a positive note. A win would be crucial for positioning ahead of matches against fellow group opponents Spain and Japan.
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