Nigeria forward Gift Monday is not letting anything take her determination away ahead of the 2024 Olympics in Paris. She’s urging Super Falcon fans to be hopeful despite being placed in a tough group stage draw for the Summer Olympics women’s football tournament.
The Super Falcons find themselves in Group C, where they will face Brazil, Spain, and Japan. Despite the tag of being in the ‘group of death’, Monday expresses belief in Nigeria’s ability to compete at the highest level. It will be remembered that in the 1996 Summer Olympics, Nigeria’s Super Falcons beat all odds to secure gold, seeing off teams like favorites Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico along the way. Stakes are high at Betway Nigeria and Super Falcon fans can place wagers on who will emerge victorious in the tough group.
Speaking to journalists, Monday is well aware of the challenge that lies ahead. “The group Nigeria is placed in isn’t a walk in the park. However, I have faith in our team’s capabilities as anyone is beatable.”
The 22-year-old FC Robo alumna and Unión Deportiva Tenerife standout player stressed the significance of maintaining a positive mindset; “Regardless of who we face, I trust that Nigeria can rise to the occasion. It’s a very tough group but we are equal to the task.”
Drawing inspiration from their performance at the World Cup, Monday exudes optimism for Nigeria’s prospects at the 2024 Olympics despite being ranked lowest among the Group C teams.
During the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Super Falcons under the leadership of Randy Waldrum managed to stay undefeated in play. Unfortunately, they bowed out in the round of 16 following a penalty shootout against eventual finalists and then reigning European champions England.
Both Spain and Japan have won the World Cup, but none has ever won an Olympic gold in women’s soccer. This presents a good opportunity for the Super Falcons to carve out their place in the history of the women’s sport. Betway presents plenty of betting opportunities for all events that will be taking place in the Olympics.
On the global scene, Gift Monday has enjoyed her fair share of success. She guided Nigeria to triumph at the 2019 African Games by beating Cameroon in a penalty shootout.
In February 2021, Monday received a call-up to represent her country at the Turkish Women’s Cup where she played a major role in Nigeria’s win – marking the first-ever win by an African team in that competition. She netted the eighth goal during a commanding 9-0 win over Equatorial Guinea.
Recently, Monday was named as part of Nigeria’s 23 players for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She has now earned ten caps for her country, and has two goals to her name so far.
After a good season playing for Unión Deportiva Tenerife in Spain where she scored six goals and assisted once in 28 league matches, Monday is excited to make a big mark on Nigeria’s Olympic journey. She will be playing against some of the players she has previously faced in the Spanish top tier and will use her experience to her advantage. Women’s football fans can check out the different markets on Betway to place their wagers before the start of the global extravaganza.
