Women’s Soccer | July 03, 2024
LOS ANGELES – The Nigerian Football Federation announced the country’s Women’s National Team roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics today (July 3) and USC women’s soccer alum Nicole Payne was named to the squad.
It will be the first Olympic Games for Payne, who previously saw tournament action with the Super Falcons of Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations in 2022. Overall, she has seven international caps at the senior level, including two starts. She was part of the Nigeria roster that qualified for the Olympics with results over South Africa in April of this year.
Payne played at USC in 2022 after transferring from West Virginia. The speedy fullback made 16 appearances and 15 starts for the Trojans, scoring three goals in her lone year at Troy.
She turned pro following the 2022 season, signing with Paris Saint-Germaine in the summer of 2023. After spending a year in France, she was sent on loan back to the United States, where she currently plays with the Portland Thorns in the NWSL. Payne has seen time in nine games for the Thorns this season.
Playing in Group C, Nigeria will begin its 2024 Olympic run against Brazil on July 25. The Super Falcons will then take on Spain on July 28 and Japan on July 31 to close out group play.
Payne is one of two Trojans playing in the Olympic Football Tournament, joining Simi Awujo, who was named to the Canadian roster earlier this week.
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