The Super Falcons of Nigeria moved a step closer to the 2024 Olympic Games, after securing a 1-0 win over the Banyana Banyana of South Africa on Friday, April 5, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Having missed out on qualifying for the Olympics in the past 16 years, the Super Falcons headed into the first leg of the final qualifying fixture more determined to earn a positive result against the reigning African Women’s champion.
Asisat Oshoala, Esther Okoronkwo and Toni Payne were all excluded from Randy Waldrum’s starting XI, as Atlético Madrid’s Rasheedat Ajibade captained the eleven-time African champions against their perennial rivals.
After Uchenna Kanu failed to find the target with the Falcons’ best opportunity inside the opening 40 minutes, the 26-year-old won a penalty for the side about four minutes later when Noko Matlou brought her down in the box.
Ajibade made no mistake, as she beat Kaylin Swart from the spot to give Waldrum’s Falcons a crucial lead into the halftime break.
Desiree Ellis’ Banyana were the better side in the second half, but none of their chances got past Chiamaka Nnadozie who made sure the Falcons held tight to the lead.
Ajibade’s spot kick remained the difference, as the Super Falcons secured the 1-goal advantage ahead of the second leg slated to come up the Loftus Versfeld arena in Pretoria On Tuesday, April 9.
Having missed out on qualifying for the Olympics in the past 16 years, the Super Falcons headed into the first leg of the final qualifying fixture more determined to earn a positive result against the reigning African Women’s champion.
Asisat Oshoala, Esther Okoronkwo and Toni Payne were all excluded from Randy Waldrum’s starting XI, as Atlético Madrid’s Rasheedat Ajibade captained the eleven-time African champions against their perennial rivals.
After Uchenna Kanu failed to find the target with the Falcons’ best opportunity inside the opening 40 minutes, the 26-year-old won a penalty for the side about four minutes later when Noko Matlou brought her down in the box.
Ajibade made no mistake, as she beat Kaylin Swart from the spot to give Waldrum’s Falcons a crucial lead into the halftime break.
Desiree Ellis’ Banyana were the better side in the second half, but none of their chances got past Chiamaka Nnadozie who made sure the Falcons held tight to the lead.
Ajibade’s spot kick remained the difference, as the Super Falcons secured the 1-goal advantage ahead of the second leg slated to come up the Loftus Versfeld arena in Pretoria On Tuesday, April 9.
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