Nigeria’s women national team have crashed out of the 2024 Olympic Games women’s football event after losing 3-1 against Japan in their last must-win Group C match at Stade de la Beaujoire on Wednesday.
A late first half goal from new Paris Saint-Germain star Jennifer Echegini wasn’t enough for the Super Falcons to stop a comfortable 3-1 win for the Nadeshiko Japan who went ahead in the 22nd minute through Maika Hamano.
Striker Mina Tanaka doubled Japan’s lead 10 minutes later before Hikaru Kitagawa restored the two-goal cushion with a free-kick on the stroke of half-time, five minutes after Echegini had pulled one back for Nigeria.
Randy Waldrum’s women failed to win any of their three group games at Paris 2024, losing their previous games by a lone goal against Brazil and world champions Spain.
Meanwhile, Japan advance to the next round of the competition alongside Spain, while Marta’s Brazil and Nigeria crash out.