Nigeria Get Ranking Boost, Avoid First Olympic Qualifier
By TAYO TAIWO (T. T.) OLUWOLE
NIGERIA will enter the Olympic Games football qualifiers from the second round after earning a first-round bye.
The Super Falcons secured the exemption by finishing among the top 14 teams in the points ranking used to determine which nations would skip the opening stage.
Consequently, Nigeria will avoid the first round and join the qualification race at the next stage.
Morocco, Mali, Ghana, South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire also received byes.
Guinea, Niger, Algeria, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Zambia and Senegal completed the list of 14 exempted teams.
The ranking system rewarded the continent’s higher-ranked sides with direct entry into the second round.
Nigeria will therefore watch the opening fixtures while waiting to discover their next opponent.
Once the first-round ties are completed, the Super Falcons will know the team standing between them and further progress in the Olympic qualification campaign.
The bye gives Nigeria valuable breathing space. It also allows the technical crew additional time to prepare before the competitive journey begins.
Still, the exemption guarantees nothing beyond the opening stage.
The Super Falcons must eventually overcome the challenges ahead if they are to convert their ranking advantage into another appearance at the Olympic Games.
