Paris2024Q: Falcons in crisis ahead South Africa game

Nigeria’s Super Falcons face a selection crisis as they build up to the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifier against Banyana Banyana of South Africa, www.aclsports.com reports.

The Falcons camp opened on Sunday night in Abuja in preparation for this week’s clash with the reigning African champions but the Nigerian squad has been hit by injuries, withdrawals and late arrivals ahead of the double header fixtures.

Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum had selected a somewhat imbalanced 22-player squad for the game but the imperfection has now been made the more desolate after it emerged that defender Ashleigh Plumptre will miss the game while forward Ifeoma Onumonu is doubtful.

Right back Jumoke Alani has been called up to replace Plumptre, the only left sided player in the invited squad leaving the team left with three right backs and three centre backs. With France based Rofiat Imuran not invited, it means that an unnatural player will feature at left back for Nigeria.

Another frustrating development for Waldrum is the late arrival of players for the games. It has now been confirmed that African Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala will only arrive on Thursday, one day before the first leg, leaving her doubtful for the game.

ACLSports checks at the team’s hotel in Abuja revealed that as at 5pm on Monday, not up to ten players have arrived camp ahead of this crucial assignment against a South African side that had started preparations since last week.

With the Banyana already in Abuja since the weekend and training fully ahead of the two games, their hosts are still struggling to gather together for a full training session with just three days left.

The first leg final round qualifying match will hold at the Moshood Abiola Abuja National Stadium on Friday, April 5, 2024 while the return leg will hold in Pretoria, South Africa four days later. Winner over two legs will qualify for this year’s Olympics in Paris.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have failed to qualify for the Olympics in the last three editions, with their participation at Beijing 2008 the last time they featured at the event.