By Vitus Michael

Super Falcons players have expressed hope ahead if their second round second leg 2024 Olympic Games qualification match against Ethiopia.

Ranked first in Africa and 32nd in the World, the Super Falcons will not have a stroll on the pack when they face Ethiopia ranked 124th in the world and 19th in Africa when they file out at the 60, 000 capacity Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja this evening

Nigeria’s World Cup stars say they are keen to give their very best on Tuesday evening and consign Ethiopia to the heap in order to reach the penultimate round of qualifiers for next year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France.

Coach Justine Madugu said on Sunday that his girls were disappointed by the result in East Africa and keen to step on the pedal at the encounter today

“We were not too happy about the result of that first game. It’s unfortunate not to win the first leg but we are equally realistic with ourselves. We had some challenges in that game, and did our best to quickly surmount them. The girls have overcome those challenges and are really determined to make sure they are part of the Olympics next year,” the coach said

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who was formidable at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the summer and has been huge for French club Paris FC in the ongoing UEFA Women Champions League, assured that the playing body is inspired to brush aside the Ethiopian challenge and look forward to the Olympic ticket after two more rounds of the qualification series

“Our plan was to win the first leg (in Addis Ababa), but we have taken the draw and the lessons that came from there. We are looking forward to the return match in Abuja and we will go all out for victory.”

Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade added: “The spirit in camp is excellent and we’re looking forward to victory. We will work very hard from the very first minute because we have no reason to under-rate them; they gave us a scare in the first leg. Our objective is to earn a clear win and make progress in the race.”

New-comer Rinsola Babajide, who won her first cap for Nigeria in Addis Ababa, said: “Everybody wanted more from the first game; we know we under-performed. We really should have won but the circumstances made it difficult. Now, at home and in front of our own people, we’ve got the advantage and we just need to work harder than ever before, get the goals and most importantly, win on the day.”