- Super Falcons secure a narrow 1-0 victory against South Africa in the first leg of the final Olympic qualifiers
- Captain Rasheedat Ajibade converts a penalty kick in the 43rd minute, giving the Falcons a crucial halftime lead
The Super Falcons’ aspirations of participating in the Olympics Games after a 16-year absence received a significant boost yesterday as they narrowly defeated South Africa 1-0 in the first leg of the final qualifiers at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Right from the kickoff, the nine-time African champions aggressively pursued an early goal, with Kanu Uchenna delivering a cross into the box, albeit going out of play.
The game’s best opportunity came in the 7th minute when Kanu found herself in a scoring position after South Africa’s goalkeeper, Swart Kaylin, made an error with her goal kick. However, the lanky striker failed to capitalize on the chance.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 43rd minute when the Super Falcons were awarded a penalty kick, expertly converted by captain Rasheedat Ajibade, leading to a 1-0 halftime score.
The visitors made sporadic attempts in the second half, but the Super Falcons’ defense, led by Ohale Osinachi, thwarted any threats. Meanwhile, the hosts continued to squander scoring opportunities.
As the match neared its conclusion, Chiamaka Nnadozie made crucial saves to preserve the narrow 1-0 victory for the Super Falcons.
In her post-match remarks, Bayana Bayana’s coach, Desiree Ellis, expressed determination to bounce back in the return leg in Pretoria.
“We created numerous chances. The game isn’t over yet. We should have also found the net. It’s only a penalty, and we’ll face the Super Eagles in Pretoria,” she affirmed.
On his part, Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum commended the team’s performance but lamented the missed opportunities.
“We should have scored more goals. We played well and demonstrated defensive solidity. We dictated the game as we intended, but securing the result was crucial at this stage,” he remarked.
The return leg is scheduled at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Tuesday evening. The winner over two legs will secure qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.