“Tough encounter awaiting us against Cameroon” – Paris FC star Nnadozie warns Nigeria’s Super Falcons

The former African champions have not been to the Olympics in 16 years, but they impressed at the World Cup last year

Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has revealed her desire to help Nigeria qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games to be hosted in Paris, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria have failed to qualify for the last three editions of the Olympics, last making it to the world’s foremost sports competition in 2008.

Equatorial Guinea stopped Nigeria from making it to the 2016 Olympics, while Côte d’Ivoire halted the Super Falcons’ run to the 2020 edition.

Nigeria have already eliminated Etiopia in the qualifying series for Paris 2024 but must overcome Cameroon to make it to the final round of the campaign.

The first leg will be held on Friday, February 23, in Douala, with the Super Falcons hosting the return leg three days later in Abuja.

Nnadozie warns that Cameroon could be a dangerous opponent that could scuttle Nigeria’s dreams.

She, however, expresses the belief in the Super Falcons’ ability to soar past the Indomitable Lionesses, a team that has only beaten Nigeria twice in the last 20 years.

“It’s a very tough encounter awaiting us against Cameroon,” Nnadozie told FIFA.

“They’re a very good team, composed of very experienced players. We need to be cautious, but I have great confidence in my team.”

Nnadozie added: “We shouldn’t dwell on our past victories against them,” warns the goalkeeper.

“We need to stay focused, train harder, work harder, and stick together. By doing so, we can beat them, I believe.”

While the Olympics dream remains to be fulfilled, Nnadozie lived the dream at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand last year.

She was one of Nigeria’s most outstanding stars as the Super Falcons made it past the group stage unbeaten for the first time in the tournament’s history.

Nnadozie wants to add the Olympics experience to that, and the competition could take an even special feel for her as it would be hosted in the same city where she plays her club football – Paris.

“There are three or four of us in this selection who play in France,” Nnadozie added.

“Everyone is very happy that the Olympics will be held in France. Even my teammates at PFC tell me, ‘Please, Maka, you have to qualify so we can come and see you and cheer you on!

“France is my second home, and I’m delighted that the tournament will be held there. I really want to be a part of it and play in this competition in the country where I live today.

“Paris is an incredible city, very beautiful, with incredible people. In Paris, I feel at home. Sometimes, when I’m there, I even feel like I’m in Nigeria; I have everything I need there. It would be really disappointing not to compete in the Olympics there,” the Paris FC goalie concluded.

N.B: Can Nigeria’s Super Falcons beat Cameroon to edge closer to an Olympic Games ticket? Leave your comments below.