THE General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation Dr Mohammed Sanusi has told the Super Falcons they cannot afford to miss out on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The nine-time African champions have not qualified for the women’s football event of the Games since 2008, and they face Ethiopia in Abuja on Tuesday as they seek to return to the global competition.

The first leg of the qualifying tie ended 1-1 in Addis Ababa last Wednesday, with Rasheedat Ajibade equalising for the Super Falcons after the hosts had taken a shock lead.

Sanusi, who watched the Super Falcons train at the Turf Arena in Abuja ahead of the return leg, reminded the African queens that they are an elite team that should be at the biggest events.

“The whole world still talks about how you captivated everyone at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand during the summer,” Sanusi told the players yesterday.

“The Government of Nigeria, the NFF and all stakeholders remain very proud of you. The NFF loves you and is happy with your outing and general conduct at the World Cup, on and off the field of play.

“Now, it is time to destroy this vexed issue of Olympics jinx. The last time you attended the Olympics was in 2008, in China. That was a long time ago. Missing three consecutive tournaments is enough; we have to take our place in Paris.

“I am happy with your game in Addis Ababa and I know you have the capacity to finish off the job here in Abuja on Tuesday.”

The Super Falcons trained at the Turf Arena on Friday and yesterday before moving to the MKO Abiola National Stadium today.

Tomorrow, both the Super Falcons and Ethiopia will have their official training sessions on the turf of the MKO Abiola National Stadium match venue.

The winners of the tie on aggregate will take on the winners of the Cameroon vs Uganda fixture in the third round of the qualifying series.

Uganda, who narrowly eliminated Rwanda in the first round, defeated the Indomitable Lionesses 2-0 in the first leg in Kampala on Thursday.

[NaijaTImes]