Nigeria Women vs Brazil Women Olympics prediction: Can this finally be Selecao’s Olympics?
Brazil Women will be hoping they can finally go all the way at the Olympics when they take on Nigeria Women in their tournament opener.
Nigeria Women vs Brazil Women prediction: Can this finally be Selecao’s Olympics?
Nigeria Women vs Brazil Women latest prediction
Nigeria take on Brazil in Group C of the 2024 Olympics at 6pm (UK time) on Thursday. The game will be hosted by the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux.
Brazil Women have been ever-present at the Olympic Games when it comes to women’s football, with this being their eighth tournament out of eight. But they are still waiting their first gold medal. Brazil have reached the final twice but had to settle for silver in 2004 and 2008, beaten by the United States on both occasions.
More recently, Brazil are the reigning South American champions, winning the 2022 Copa America Femenina. But that shouldn’t be a surprise as they’ve only failed the win the tournament once since its inception in 1991 — lifting the trophy eight times. They also took part in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup as one of four guest teams from CONMEBOL earlier this year, again losing in the final to the USWNT.
Although they haven’t missed a World Cup, it’s been a while since Nigeria Women graced the Olympic stage. Qualifying for this quadrennial tournament is a lot harder, and Nigeria last took part in the Olympics in 2008. That came at the end of a three-tournament run, though Nigeria won’t have fond memories.
Nigeria have won just one and lost eight of their nine Olympics games, bowing out of the group stage in two of their three appearances. They reached the quarter-finals in a shorter 2004 tournament, but were beaten by Germany. Like Brazil, Nigeria dominate their continent but they did have to settle for a fourth-placed finish at the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations — just the third time they have failed to win the tournament.
Brazil are the heavy favourites for this game and it’s easy to see why. They are the bigger footballing nation with Olympic pedigree. And Nigeria haven’t been the most inspiring team going forward this year. Nigeria have scored just two goals in their five games this year, drawing a blank three times.
Nigeria Women team news
Paris FC goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie is expected to be busy for Nigeria, but she is a tough shot-stopper to beat. Oluwatosin Demehin also plies her trade in France, with Reims.
Asisat Oshoala will be hoping to make a mark on her return to Europe, having left Barcelona for NWSL side Bay FC earlier this year.
Brazil Women team news
For the first time ever, Brazil are at the Olympics without Formiga. The legend retired from international football after the 2021 Olympics and called time on her long career a year later. But neutral fans will recognise Marta. The Orlando Pride forward is no longer a guaranteed starter for Brazil, who have a lot of attacking talent.
There is also no Debinha, Ludmila and Ana Vitoria will be looking to make their mark.
Nigeria Women vs Brazil Women head-to-head
There have been just two previous meetings between these two nations, with Brazil winning both. The first came in the 1999 Women’s World Cup quarter-finals and the second nine years later at the 2008 Olympics.
Nigeria Women vs Brazil Women H2H | |||||||
Date | Score | Ground | |||||
12/08/08 | Nigeria Women 1-3 Brazil Women | Workers’ Stadium, Beijing | |||||
01/07/99 | Brazil Women 4-3 Nigeria Women | Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, Landover |
How to watch Nigeria Women vs Brazil Women live
Nigeria Women vs Brazil Women takes place on Thursday at 6pm (UK time) and will be broadcast live on Eurosport 5. You can also live stream the game online on Eurosport and Discovery+.
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