Falcons upbeat for Sweden match

Following last Friday’s 1-0 win over highly rated Japan, the Falcons are brimming with confidence ahead of the encounter.

“The Swedish girls may be big and strong but they are not smarter than our girls,” Chief Coach Mabo nigeriasports.com.

“The last time I took the Falcons to the World scene we won two matches and this time around we have won one so I am looking forward to a second win and another.”

Mabo said he would not like to call Tuesday’s match a grudge game but it would be good to win after the Swedish side beat Nigeria 3-0 in the last World Cup.

Akide fit to play

Mercy Akide insists her injury against Japan is not enough to keep her out of this game.

“I had a little knock and I guess the coach was just being careful so he took me off, but I am okay and all things being equal I will play against Sweden.

“I asked Mercy on Sunday how she was feeling and she said she was okay and will be good for the game.” Mabo told nigeriasports.com.

“When she received that knock I thought I should take her off so as not to aggravate what ever injury she may have had until the medical crew takes a look at her.”

“Besides, if I had left her on, you the press would have pelted me with missiles for leaving an unfit player on the pitch,” Mabo said rather comically.

The last time Nigeria played at the Olympics in Sydney 2000, the Falcons lost all their games to USA and China by 3-1

Okolo relishes goal against Japan

Attacker, Vera Okolo says the feeling is great scoring against the Japanese side in the Olympics.

Okolo told nigeriasports.com that she always believed she was going to score in that game and just needed to work at it.

Okolo scoring the goal
that qualified Falcons for Athens

“It was good. Prior to the game I had no doubts whatsoever. Now we must double up our efforts to meet our expectations of winning a medal.”

“The United States and Germany are no different from us. They probably just have different skin colour so if they can win gold, then why not us. But we have to keep our heads and believe we can do it.”

Akide’s take on Okolo

Star performer, Mercy Akide is already a fan of Vera Okolo and has described her as the future of female football in Nigeria.

“She is a dream player and will go far. Her biggest assets are speed and her knack for goals and if she keeps her head she will surely go far.”