The Super Falcons’ chances of making it to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris were greatly enhanced after they defeated the Indomitable Lioness of Cameroon 1-0 in yesterday’s crucial match at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Remember that last Friday, coach Randy Waldrum’s team played to a scoreless tie in the first leg in Douala, and they needed to win this match to have one last chance to board the plane to Paris.
Esther Okoronkwo broke the deadlock, giving the Nigerian team the early lead from a goalmouth scramble, after the country had not participated in the Olympics since 2008, sixteen years ago.
When the second half started, the visitors acted unsportsmanlike on two separate occasions. Some of the players looked at their hosts’ goalposts, and Enganemben Annie was given a red card for pushing Nnadozie during an odd rush by Cameroonian players to touch the goalkeeper’s net.
At a press conference following the game, Waldrum stated that the players gave it their all and that they would be ready to play South Africa.
“We created chances and we worked hard to get the result. I am extremely proud of the team. We tried to manage the final minutes of the game. I wasn’t worried,” he said.
In the same spirit, Deborah Abiodun declared that the squad was honored to represent the nation and that they were headed toward breaking the jinx.
“We are grateful for this. We are honored to represent Nigeria, and we’ll follow the instructions of our coaches. In order to secure the ticket, we would rely on the backing of Nigerians and exert every effort to triumph over South Africa,” she proclaimed.
The Nigerian Falcons competed in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in Australia (2000), Greece (2004), and China (2008), however, they haven’t advanced past their first round appearance in China sixteen years prior.
After this triumph, Nigeria will play in the fourth round of the Caf Women’s Olympic qualifying tournament in April against the winner between South Africa and Tanzania.
There are just two Olympic tickets available for Africa in the 16-nation Women’s Olympic football competition; the victor of the qualifiers’ final round will select the ticket.
