Paris Olympics: Nigeria 0-1 Brazil - Wasteful Super Falcons stumble to defeat

• Nigeria's Super Falcons stumbled to a narrow 1-0 loss to Brazil in their opening Group C match at the Stade Matmut-Atlantique in Bordeaux on Thursday evening.

Gabi Nunes scored the only goal of the encounter in the first half as the Brazilians claimed a third consecutive victory over Nigeria.

The Super Falcons were looking to keep their run of 15 consecutive competitive games without a defeat going and looked the part for much of the match.

Coach Randy Waldrum decided to keep six-time CAF Africa Women's Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala on the bench, starting Chinwendu Ihezuo in attack instead.

In midfield, Christy Ucheibe and Deborah Abiodun supported Jennifer Echegini, Toni Payne, and captain Rasheedat Ajibade as Nigeria looked to stamp their authority early on.

The early chances in the game fell to the former African champions but Ihezuo saw her stabbed finish from a pinpoint Ajibade cross kept out brilliantly by the Brazilian goalkeeper.

Moments after, Ucheibe stung the goalie's palms with another long-range drive as the Super Falcons searched for an early breakthrough.

However, Brazil waded through the storm and started asking questions of their own.

Shortly after six-time Olympian Marta had an effort ruled out for offside, Brazil grabbed the lead as Gabi Nunes fired an unstoppable shot past Nnadozie off the crossbar.

There was very little goalmouth action after the interval with Ajibade coming closest to netting the equaliser for the African queens. However, the Atletico Madrid star struck her effort straight at the goalkeeper who kept it out expertly.

Up next, Nigeria will trade tackles with Spain in Nantes on matchday two. The world champions carved out a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Japan earlier today.