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Visa Issues Disrupt Super Falcons’ Olympic Camp in Spain Ahead of Paris 2024 Preparations
The Nigerian women’s national football team, the Super Falcons, have encountered significant hurdles as they prepare for the upcoming 2024 Olympics in Paris. Visa complications have hindered several players from joining the team’s training camp in Spain, delaying their crucial preparations.
The Falcons’ camp officially opened in a Spanish city last Friday, but training sessions were postponed until Sunday due to the limited number of players available. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed that as of Monday, only twelve players had managed to arrive at the camp. Among them are 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, forward Esther Okoronkwo, and Morufa Ademola. Additional players, including defenders Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie, were expected to join the team later in the week.
However, some key players were notably absent due to visa-related issues. Tosin Demehin and Jumoke Alani of Nasarawa Amazons reportedly faced accreditation errors, preventing them from joining the camp. Meanwhile, Uchenna Kanu and Chiwendu Ihezuo, both based in the United States, are awaiting their visas. Kanu plans to meet with Ihezuo in the US before traveling together to Spain by mid-week. Other US-based players are also expected to arrive later this week.
Adding to the complications, Macleans, who is currently in Russia, will fly back to Nigeria to obtain her visa before heading to Spain. The delays and frustrations have left some within the Falcons’ camp dismayed, questioning why these issues were not resolved earlier.
Despite the setbacks, the Super Falcons are gearing up for a training match against reigning Olympic champions Canada in Sevilla on July 17. This match will serve as a crucial test before the Olympics, where Nigeria aims to make a mark after a lengthy absence from the women’s football event since 2008.
The Olympic football tournament holds special significance for Nigeria, with their best performance to date being a sixth-place finish in Athens 20 years ago. As preparations intensify and players gradually join the camp, the team remains focused on overcoming these challenges to compete at the highest level in Paris.
This article encapsulates the current challenges faced by the Super Falcons due to visa issues while highlighting their preparations and upcoming matches ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
