The reigning African women footballer of the year, Asisat Oshoala, believed Nigeria’s Super Falcons will progress to the group stage at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Randy Waldrum’s side are drawn in Group C with world champions Spain, Brazil and Japan.
Oshoala, who currently plays for National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) club Bay FC,
said the nine time African champions are not afraid of the top teams in their group.
“At the World Cup last year, people said the same thing,” she told FIFA.com.
“They said we were in the ‘Group of Death’ with Australia, Canada, and the Republic of Ireland and could not qualify. But we did.
“I have a lot of confidence in this team. We have many young players and we can make things difficult for our opponents. We don’t just think about getting out of the group; I think we can actually walk away with a medal.”
The Super Falcons will begin their campaign against Brazil in Bordeaux before facing Spain and Japan in Nantes.
2014 has already been a hugely significant year in Oshoala’s glittering career having transferred from Barcelona to Bay FC, a newly formed NWSL side based in San Jose.
The 29-year-old admitted it was a “tough decision” to leave Barça – where she won 14 trophies and was part of arguably the finest club team on the planet – but “followed her heart” to embark on her Stateside adventure.
“I was very comfortable at Barcelona, but I wanted to experience being at the start of something new,” said Oshoala, who scored 117 goals in 162 appearances for the Spanish club. “As soon as I heard about the project at Bay FC, I was very excited. I love what I do, and I make decisions based on what makes me happy. It’s been pretty amazing here so far.”
Oshoala’s adjustment to life in San Jose, she revealed, has been aided by the city’s “good people and good food”.
