Paris 2024: Falcons hold first training session in Seville

The Super Falcons of Nigeria commenced their preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics Games with their inaugural training session in Seville, Spain, on Sunday.

The 2024 Paris Olympics Games, scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, will mark Nigeria’s return to the women’s football event after a 16-year absence, with the Super Falcons last participating in the Olympic Games in 2008.

The Super Falcons’ training camp in Seville, Spain, officially opened on Friday, but the team didn’t conduct any training sessions until Sunday, as they were waiting for more players to arrive, with only a handful of players initially present in camp.

Following reports that most of the players are yet to hit camp, perhaps the numbers are just swelling, as the video released by the Super Falcons Show on X showed a few players and officials strolling into the training ground.

In the video were captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, Deborah Abiodun, Toni Payne and Rivers Angels keeper Morufat Ademola. Some other officials were spotted in the background.

Other players reported to be in camp are goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, Gift Monday, Chidinma Okeke, and Christy Ucheibe.

The team is expected to depart Spain for France on July 18 after their two-week training in Seville.

Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum last Wednesday named 18 players and four others as alternates for the women’s football event.

Changes are however expected to the squad in the coming days following an injury to midfielder Halimatu Ayinde.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons, proudly holding the title of nine-time African champions, are set to face a formidable challenge at this year’s Olympics, taking on three tough opponents in succession: Brazil, Spain, and Japan, in that order.

The Super Falcons will kick off their Olympic campaign against Brazil on July 25 at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, followed by matches against Spain on July 28 at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, France, and Japan on July 31 at the same venue.