Paris 2024:Falcons Edge South Africa As Attention Shift To 2nd Leg

Super Falcons of Nigeria narrowly defeated South Africa, the reigning African champions, 1-0 in the first leg of the Olympic qualifier at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Friday.

The Super Falcons, undefeated at MKO Abiola National Stadium, wasted no time asserting their dominance. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade fired a warning shot just three minutes in, but her long-range effort sailed wide.

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Super Falcons turned up the heat after the shot, their attacking pressure finally yielding a reward when they earned a penalty after a foul on long-time absentee Ihezuo Chinwendu in the Bayana Bayana’s penalty area. Captain Ajibade rose up to the occasion to put the home side in front in the 43rd minutes.

Thrilled by his team’s win, Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum praised their performance as top-notch. However, he acknowledged the need to improve their finishing, emphasizing the importance of converting more scoring opportunities.

The injuries leading up to the encounter couldn’t dampen his spirits; he was still impressed by his team’s performance. Waldrum assured fans that the team wouldn’t rest on their laurels in the return leg.

“I think the team played very well defensively considering we had some new players in the back having Missed Plumptre and Demehin. I think the back four stood very strong.

We did the things we wanted to do offensively. We still have to finish the chances we create.”

Also speaking, his opposite number Desiree Ellis said her team is still in the game to qualifier for Paris as she believes is not over till the second leg in Pretoria.

“We are still in the game. The results of the two legs will decide the game we created a lot of chances, a penalty decided the match. But the game is not over. 

I’m very proud of the team and we will take it back to Pretoria.”

Adding to what she said, Africa’sleading goal scorer of the Olympic qualifier Kgatlana Thembi asserted that there is “no better opponent to face” than the Super Falcons for a slot at the Paris 2024 Olympics but Pretoria will be the decider.

Meanwhile the substitute Esther Okoronkwo who scored the goal that sent Nigeria to the final qualifier against South Africa, is confident that Super Falcons will be at the Olympics.

Super Falcons will now go to South Africa with a one goal advantage against their host in Pretoria on Tuesday April 9th for the deciding fixture.