Jonathan Nwokpor
The Super Falcons of Nigeria defeated the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon 1-0 in their hard-fought second-leg encounter on Monday night at Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, securing their spot in the final round of the 2024 Summer Olympics Qualifiers.
Nigeria had a small lead going into the second leg after the first leg in Douala concluded in a goalless draw.
Esther Okoronkwo of the Super Falcons capitalized on this advantage, taking the lead in the fourteenth minute.
After a goalmouth scramble, Okoronkwo, who started ahead of Asisat Oshoala in the starting line-up, hit the target.
The Indomitable Lionesses were under increased pressure from Randy Waldrum’s team to create more opportunities.
Okoronkwo squandered a fantastic opportunity to double Nigeria’s lead six minutes before halftime.
Ashleigh Plumptre, the defender, set up the attacker with a lovely long pass, but she fired over the crossbar.
Four minutes before halftime, the Super Falcons changed players, substituting Halimat Ayinde with Oluwatosin Demehin.
Nigeria managed to hold on for the victory despite the Indomitable Lionesses’ comeback with no goals scored in the second half.
Nigeria prevailed 1-0 overall after two legs of play.
The Super Falcons will probably play South Africa in the qualifiers’ last round, scheduled for April 1–9, 2024.
Recall that a few days earlier, in the first leg of the third round match, South Africa defeated Tanzania 3-0.
In Tuesday’s second leg of their third-round match, the Banyana Banyana will play Tanzania; the winner will play Nigeria in the last qualifying round.
The winner of the match advances to the Summer Olympics in Paris in 2024, scheduled in France from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
The Super Falcons last appeared on the Olympic stage in 2008, and they will be looking to compete for a medal in Paris.
In China, they collapsed at the group stage.
Isa Saleh Sadiq, a football scout and CEO of the International Football Academy in Northern Nigeria, spoke with ZINGTIE and characterized the Super Falcons’ victory over Cameroon as a favorable advancement for football in the nation.
He claimed that Waldrum’s team outperformed the visitors and that it was wise for the coach to start Okoronkwo in the attack rather than Asisat Oshoala.
“The Super Falcons’ hard-fought win against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon is a positive development for Nigerian football,” Sadiq said.
“The team’s performance is commendable as they put up a dominant display for most of the match.
“I’m happy that the coach’s decision to start Esther Okoronkwo paid off with the only goal of the match.”
Sadiq also lamented the chances Super Falcons squandered against Cameroon.
He added: “The squandering of many chances is a cause for concern against stronger opposition.
“The team’s focus now shifts to the final round where they will likely face South Africa, whom they have had a long-standing rivalry with.
“It promises to be a thrilling match, and the Super Falcons would need to be at their best to secure a slot in the [2024 Summer Paris] Olympics,” he further started.
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