Ex-Super Falcons star urges NSC, NFF to secure 2028 Olympics ticket amid tough qualification path
Patience Avre-Odeli, former Super Falcons forward who played at three FIFA Women's World Cups and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, has challenged the National Sports Commission and Nigeria Football Federation to ensure Nigeria secures one of Africa's two spots for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Women's Football Tournament. She outlined Nigeria's rigorous qualification path: facing Sudan or Comoros in October 2026, then potentially Morocco or Congo in February-March 2027, followed by the winner of Tunisia/Senegal vs Benin/Mali in October 2027, and finally survivors from other groups which could include rivals Cameroon or Guinea in November-December 2027. As a 10-time African champion, Nigeria cannot afford to miss out, but only two Olympic tickets are available for Africa. Avre-Odeli emphasized that unlike FIFA World Cup qualifications where NFF leads funding, the NSC bears sole responsibility for financing Olympic athletes. She urged NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and NFF leadership to collaborate on early preparations and adequate funding for the Super Falcons to navigate all five qualification rounds successfully, warning that without proper planning, Nigeria risks failing to qualify for the 2028 Olympics. The former star stressed that Nigeria has the players to deliver the ticket if sports administrators put their acts right and support the team throughout the qualifying phases.