Nigeria’s quest to return to the Olympic Games women’s football for the first time since 2008 got a boost yesterday when the Super Falcons defeated the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon 1-0 in the second leg of their third round qualifying tie at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
Nigeria and Cameroon had played a goalless draw in the first leg of the tie in Douala last Friday to set up the winner takes all encounter in Abuja.
The game got off to a slow start with both teams sizing up themselves, but the tempo rose in the 14th minute when Esther Okoronkwo gave the Falcons the lead off a Jennifer Echegini assist.
Thereafter, the Cameroonians, aware that they must score to remain in contention, took the fight to the Super Falcons, but try as they could, they found goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie hard to beat.
The first half ended 1-0 in Nigeria’s favour. The Super Falcons created several chances in the second half, but they failed to make good use of them.
In the 60th minute, Coach Randy Waldrum brought in Asisat Oshoala for Toni Payne and goalscorer, Okoronkwo, gave way to Uchenna Kanu as the Super Falcons went in search of goals.
In stoppage time, Cameroon’s Enganemben Annie was sent off for maliciously fouling Super Falcons goalkeeper Nnadozie in a desperate search for the equaliser.
Nigeria’s victory has taken them to the last qualifying round of the series, where they will meet South Africa to decide who qualifies for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
South Africa defeated Tanzania 3-0 in their away leg last week and hosted the East Africans in the return leg late yesterday.
