Paris 2024: Spain and Nigerian Stars Exchange Jerseys and Take Selfies

Paris 2024: Spain and Nigerian Stars Exchange Jerseys and Take Selfies

  • Spain progressed to the next round of the Paris 2024 Olympics after beating Nigeria 1-0
  • The result leaves the Super Falcons on the brink of elimination, but they are not totally out
  • It was a reunion for Asisat Oshoala, who met some of her former Barcelona teammates

Spain and Nigeria players showed great sportsmanship despite their Paris 2024 Olympics Group C game ending 1-0 in favour of the European country.

The world champions Spain became the first country to qualify for the knockout stage with a maximum six points after beating the Super Falcons 1-0 in Nantes.

Asisat Oshoala and Vicky Lopez lifting a trophy for Barcelona in 2023.
Vicky Lopez and Asisat Oshoala with a Barcelona teammate lifting the Joan Gamper trophy in 2023. Photo by Joan Valls.
Source: Getty Images

Nigeria, who lost their opening game to Brazil, fought hard against the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup winners but succumbed to a defeat through Alexia Putellas' freekick.

Asisat Oshoala meets ex-teammates

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It was a time for reunion for Oshoala, who met some of her former Barcelona teammates, who were part of the Spanish team that was representing the country at the Olympics.

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The squad has nine Barcelona Feminino players, including two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, Salma Paralluelo, Aitana Bonmati and Vicky Lopez.

As seen in photos shared on social media, Oshoala and Lopez shared moments after the match. The two exchanged jerseys and took selfies, making the Nigerian happy despite the defeat.

The two were close during Asisat’s five-year spell at Barcelona before she left the club last summer to join the National Women's Super League side Bay FC.

As noted by FC Barcelona, she shared the pitch with 52 players during her time at the club. She played 162 matches and scored 117 goals, winning 17 trophies, including three UEFA Women's Champions League.

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Lopez was born in Madrid, came through the Real Madrid academy before joining rivals Barcelona in 2022, and has featured over 30 times for the current La Liga F champions.

Oshoala dreams of Olympics in Africa

Legit.ng reported that Asisat Oshoala dreamed of an Olympic tournament on African soil after watching the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Games.

The continent has yet to host the event in its 128-year history, and the six-time African Women's Footballer of the Year believes Africa's culture will beautify the event.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Elijah Odetokun avatar

Elijah Odetokun (Sports Editor) Elijah Odetokun is a Nigerian sports editor at Legit NG. He has four years of working experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria (August 2020 - September 2020), OmaSports (December 2020 - June 2021), El Futbolero (July 2021; September 2021- November 2021), and Sports Brief (November 2022 - July 2024). He is a press conference and interview specialist and has attended trainings held by Reuters, AIPS, and FIJ. He holds a Bachelor of Agriculture (2021) from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Reach me via elijah.odetokun@sportsbrief.com