Reports say that visa issues have delayed the arrival of several invited Super Falcons players at their training camp in Spain as they prepare for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France. The Falcons’ camp officially opened in a Spanish city last Friday but faced delays in commencing training sessions due to a low turnout of players.
As of Monday, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed that key players including team captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Tochukwu Oluehi, defenders Chidinma Okeke and Nicole Payne, midfielders Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini, and forward Esther Okoronkwo were present. Morufa Ademola and forward Gift Monday have also joined, bringing the current count to 12 players.
However, challenges persist for some players. Tosin Demehin and Nasarawa Amazon’s Jumoke Alani were unable to join due to accreditation errors. Additionally, Uchenna Kanu and Chiwendu Ihezuo are awaiting visas, with plans for Kanu to travel to the United States to meet Ihezuo before both proceed to Spain by mid-week. Other US-based players are expected to arrive by Wednesday.
In another development, Macleans, currently in Russia, awaits travel to Nigeria to acquire her visa before joining the squad in Spain later this week.
Expressing frustration, a source within the Falcons’ camp questioned the handling of logistical preparations, venting, “Why are we even in camp? I am so pissed right now because I don’t understand why all these weren’t taken care of weeks ago.”
The Falcons, nine-time African champions, are set to play a training match against reigning Olympic champions Canada in Sevilla on July 17. Canada secured the gold medal in Tokyo 2020, defeating Sweden 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regular and extra time.
The Women’s Olympic football tournament will take place from July 26 to August 11, marking Nigeria’s return after their last appearance in 2008. Their best performance to date was a sixth-place finish at the Athens Games in 2004.
