Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum has attributed Nigeria’s 1-0 loss to Spain on Sunday to missed opportunities in front of goal. Despite strong performances and staying competitive for 85 minutes, Nigeria was unable to secure a win against the world champions in their Olympic group stage match in Nantes.
The only goal of the match came from a freekick by Alexia Putella, which eluded Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. Before that decisive moment, the Super Falcons had several chances to take the lead. Both Rasheedat Ajibade and Asisat Oshoala were notably wasteful with their opportunities, and even after Spain scored, Chinwendu Ihezuo missed a one-on-one chance against Spain’s Cata Coll.
READ MORE: Spain edges Nigeria with late free-kick goal in Paris Olympics Clash
Waldrum expressed disappointment over the missed chances, believing that converting those opportunities could have changed the outcome of the game. “We had three to four good opportunities,” Waldrum said, according to ESPN. “Regrettably, we did not convert them. We had one in the first half, a breakaway, and Asisat and Rash missed those chances. Regrettably, the Spanish converted theirs.”
Despite the defeat, Randy Waldrum noted that Nigeria had proven they could compete with the best teams globally. “We lost to two of the best teams in the world,” he added. “Spain is the top team in the world and Brazil are in the top 10. We have shown that we could have got something out of those matches. It shows we can play against anybody in the world.”
Nigeria now faces Japan in their final group match on Wednesday, where only a win will keep their hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals alive.
