Nigeria's 2024 Olympics campaign started with a stutter as the Super Falcons vs Brazil showdown ended in a 1-0 defeat.
Gabi Nunes’s goal in the 39th minute gave the South Americans the win in a keenly contested game.
Nigeria had the better of the early exchanges, but struggled to make their dominance count and were made to pay and will now look to their next game for a chance to get on the board in the group.
Fast start not consolidated damns Super Falcons vs Brazil
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade was influential early on, and created the game's first real chance when she burst through and played a low cross for Chiwendu Iheazuo, who could only hit the goalkeeper with her shot.
Moments later, midfielder Christy Ucheibe had a shot saved by Brazil goalkeeper Lorena, and then Tosin Demehin headed over with the goal at her mercy.
Brazil gradually got into the game and tested Chiamaka Nnadozie in Nigeria’s goal with a snap shot, but she saved easily.
Marta then had a goal disallowed for offside, but then, a minute later, her reverse pass to Nunes set the striker up to score for Brazil in the 39th minute.
Echegini almost got Nigeria level just before half-time after beautiful build-up involving Ucheibe and Ajibade, but she blazed her shot high and wide.
In the second half, Brazil were in the ascendancy, but aside from a mishit cross from Marta in the 59th minute that came back off the post, completely befuddling Nnadozie, they struggled to create clear openings.
Late rally fails to salvage Super Falcons vs Brazil result
Ajibade, a constant threat down the right flank, tried to chip Lorena in the 65th minute, marking Nigeria’s re-entry into the game. She then took advantage of a defensive lapse by Brazil but saw her shot easily saved.
Nnadozie continued to be a vital figure, making a crucial save after Marta broke through during a swift Brazilian attack.
As the game approached its final ten minutes, Nigeria intensified their efforts to find an equaliser. Deborah Abiodun fired a shot wide, and Christy Ucheibe’s attempt was saved by Lorena, as the Super Falcons pushed forward.
Despite Nigeria's late pressure, Brazil managed the game efficiently and secured a 1-0 victory.
The Super Falcons will now look to bounce back in their next match and give themselves a shot at progression from Group C.
Nigeria Line-up: Chiamaka Nnadozie; Michelle Alozie, Chidinma Okeke (Nicole Payne), Osinachi Ohale, Tosin Demehin, Jennifer Echegini (Ifeoma Onumonu), Deborah Abiodun, Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne (Uchenna Kanu), Rasheedat Ajibade, Chinwendu Ihezuo (Esther Okoronkwo)
