Paris 2024 Olympics: Nigeria vs Japan | The Nutmeg
Paris 2024 Olympics: Nigeria vs Japan | The Nutmeg
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00:00I think this performance of the Super Falcons so far has been totally appalling, we have
00:05to say the truth.
00:06A lot of expectations and hope were raised on the shoulders of these Falcons coming into
00:12this competition but it has been so very very appalling, so very poor that the performances
00:16hasn't matched or reached what we had of them.
00:24The Super Falcons defeat against Brazil surely left us all disappointed, even more so that
00:29the defeat against World Champion Spain, that one left us all clenching our tits.
00:34Now the big question is what is it going to be against Japan, the final group game in
00:39their Paris 2024 Olympic Games campaign and of course we are looking towards that, it's
00:45going to be played on Wednesday and this is our preview of it.
00:49You're welcome to the show, my name is Adem Disosbu and this is The Nutmeg on Guardian
00:54TV.
00:55I have Chooks here with me, he makes his debut here on The Nutmeg.
00:58Chooks, welcome to The Nutmeg, maybe not the best time to be talking about football because
01:03of, primarily because of the Super Falcons by the way, they are not particularly faring
01:09well and I'm sure Nigerians will want the team to do better especially with the situation
01:13around the country as well, many disgruntled voices and now football is one of the reasons
01:18why there are more disgruntled voices but let's talk about football now.
01:23The Super Falcons, we've seen how that the loss against Brazil which was the most winnable
01:28game on paper, we also saw them lose against World Champions Spain, we didn't expect them
01:32to but we're like okay, maybe chance can permit but they didn't but what have you made about
01:40their performances so far?
01:42One.
01:43Two.
01:44Also, how do you see us even getting a result or do you see us getting a result because
01:49against Japan, it's an entirely different proposition, different ballgame, different
01:53ballgame entirely so Hariri, let me let you into it.
01:56What do you think happens against Japan?
01:59First and foremost, I have to say thank you very much, it's a privilege being here this
02:04morning.
02:05So I would say this performance of the Super Falcons so far has been totally appalling.
02:10So sorry to Nigerians but we have to say the truth.
02:14A lot of expectations and hope were raised on the shoulders of these Falcons coming into
02:20this competition but it has been so very very appalling, so very poor that the performances
02:25hasn't matched or reached what we had of them.
02:29Just look at the first game against Brazil, Brazil was there to be taken to the cleaners,
02:34we would have defeated Brazil but we lost a lot of chances.
02:38The Brazil we all know, they didn't show up against the Super Falcons, it was there for
02:43the taking.
02:44I would say the story was sort of like similar against Spain but now they have a chance to
02:51salvage something, whatever that could be.
02:54Maybe they finish as one of the third best, the best third place teams, best losers.
02:58It's still slim because we have a minus two goal difference, in that group they sit last
03:04on the standings of that group.
03:07It's quite tough.
03:08What do you see going into that game?
03:09Do you see them having any chance against Japan?
03:14This is a tricky situation, the Japan team defeated Brazil, we couldn't even beat the
03:19defeated Brazil.
03:20Football is not played like that.
03:23I hope, I believe the Super Falcons can spread a surprise and get that third place loser
03:28position.
03:30So I feel anything is possible, the Super Falcons, if they are in the game, they can
03:34defeat Japan.
03:35Alright, you said it right, I think you have.
03:38But now, the most likely event now, on Wednesday, when they get to play, is Japan winning against
03:46us.
03:47I don't like to admit it, but I also like to be honest, because we've seen them play.
03:52Now we have to start looking towards the future, charting a new course.
03:56I think it's time, because, well, there are still a number of months before the WAFCON,
04:00I believe doesn't happen this year anymore.
04:04And it's all about preparing for that, because that's the major assignment in front of them
04:09from here on.
04:11So the topic about the future of a coach will surely be discussed, and also the topic of
04:17some veterans in the squad, and whether it's time to let them go, but what exactly do you
04:21see as the direction the Super Falcons should be taking now?
04:25First and foremost, experience is needed.
04:29So I would say keep some experienced players, like Oshuola, our experience, our skills are
04:35still needed for the younger ones in this team.
04:39So I feel we should get back the sire of Paranozy, we are lacking in experience.
04:46If there's a way, we can beg her, but we are really missing her.
04:51I do feel that when it comes to the attack, we have the talent, but I don't know why Randy
05:01Waldron has not got it right in that department, especially when it comes to the attack, because
05:07he did mention coming to the games that he thinks the squad is better prepared than last
05:12year at the World Cup.
05:14But now it's turned out to be a disappointment, two games in and they've not even got a sniff
05:18of a goal.
05:19They've not even put the ball at the back of the net by mistake and allowed VAR to pull
05:23it off and say, no, it's not a goal.
05:25So now it's difficult really, but I think you were also telling me about integrating
05:33the age grades.
05:34I mean, the Flamingos and the Falconettes, they're not doing badly.
05:38So how do you think we can try to blot some of these talents into the team?
05:42First, sorry if I can go back to what you said about scoring goals.
05:47You can't score goals when there's no supply from the midfield.
05:50He has to look at the midfield, where he's getting things right and where he's getting
05:52things wrong.
05:53It's from the midfield that everything will be sorted out.
05:57Then back to what you told me now, I feel the age grades are doing very well, the under
06:0217s, the under 20s.
06:04Just take a look at them.
06:06players you can pick from that team, add them into the Super Falcons, the senior team that
06:13can do very well.
06:14If you look at other teams, other countries, they have something called continuity, continuation,
06:19bringing their age grades and putting them into the senior teams when they're ready.
06:23So I feel the Super Falcons will benefit a lot, when I say benefit a lot from the age
06:29grades looking at it.
06:30Okay, just before I let you go now, what's your prediction going into Wednesday's game?
06:34Just quick prediction.
06:36Quick prediction, Super Falcons 1-0.
06:38I didn't expect you to predict against the Super Falcons, but that is hanging by a thread.
06:44We'll see how that pans out, but thank you very much for watching.
06:46This is a full compliment of this edition of the Not Meg.
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06:59And thank you very much Josh for making it here and trust me, you can also follow us
07:04on social media, we're Guardian Nigeria as well over there.
07:08My name is Ayomede Chotobor, I'll see you next time.