By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s Super Falcons on Friday night beat the Banyana Banyana of South Africa 1-0 in the first leg of the football event for the 2024 Olympics qualifier in Abuja.
The only goal was scored by Rasheedat Ajibade via a penalty in the 42nd minute of the game.
Both sides have been inching for an Olympic appearance after a long time absence.
For Nigeria, since their last appearance in 2008, where they finished bottom of their group, the serial African champions have failed to qualify for the previous three – in 2012, 2016 and 2020.
If they fail to make it to the 2024 tournament, their next shot would be in 2028.
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“We are going to Pretoria to play and get the result and not to defend… we review our performance today and take it up from there,” Randy Waldrum, head coach of Super Falcons said in a post match media conference.
South African coach Desiree Ellis on her part said, “We planned to get the result here in Abuja but things didn’t go the way we planned. We will take the match on and do the needful in the second leg.”
The second leg is scheduled for April 9, 2024 in Pretoria, South Africa.
