Olympics: Falcons ready for any opponent — Ucheibe

Super Falcons midfielder Christy Ucheibe has expressed confidence in the team’s ability to overcome any opposition at the Paris 2024 Olympics, asserting that Nigeria can compete with the best teams in the world.

The Super Falcons will play their opening match against Brazil on Thursday (today), and while speaking to SportsBoom.com, Ucheibe shared her excitement about being part of the squad for the Games and her aim to help Nigeria secure a gold medal.

“I am so happy to be among the squad going for the Olympics in Paris 2024. I am grateful to God for the opportunity. It has not been easy, but He made it possible,” Ucheibe said.

The 23-year-old Benfica player believes the Super Falcons are well-prepared for the challenges ahead despite being drawn in a tough Group C alongside world champions Spain, Japan, and Brazil.

“The training is good. The preparation is good. The spirit is high. Everyone is ready from the coaches, players, and staff, and everyone in camp is so happy and fighting so hard to prepare better for the Olympics,” Ucheibe said.

“No team is a pushover, so we are going there to compete, and I know we are going to do more than we did at the last World Cup.”

Ucheibe dismissed concerns about potential challenges, expressing confidence in the team’s abilities across positions. “For me, I don’t think we will have any challenge because everyone in the team, from the midfield, goalkeepers, and attack, I don’t think we are going to have any challenge. We are just going to keep focus and do the things we love to do,” she asserted.

Ucheibe also highlighted the team’s familiarity with some of their opponents, having faced them at the club level.

“Some of the oppositions we are going to face, some of them we have played against their players at our club sides and know them. I think it is going to help also. They are tough. We are tough also. Let the challenge begin. We are set and ready,” Ucheibe declared.

The Nigeria international, who joined SL Benfica from Swedish club Assi IF in 2020, has been a part of the Portuguese side’s domestic dominance, having won ten titles—four Taça da Liga, four Liga BPI, and two Supertaca de Portugal—since arriving in Portugal.

The Nasarawa Amazons product is living her dream, having lifted four trophies with Portuguese giants in the 2023/2024 season and played a pivotal role in the Filipa Patao’s side’s UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign as they reached the knockout stages for the first time.