The Super Falcons of Nigeria have moved a step closer to securing the ticket to the football event of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after seeing off South Africa 1-0.
Rasheedat Ajibade converted a 43rd-minute penalty to hand the Nigerians victory in the first leg of the qualifiers in Abuja on Friday.
🏁 FULL TIME! in Abuja 📍
Nigeria 🇳🇬 1-0 South Africa 🇿🇦
Rasheedat Ajibade 43′
First leg ✅ Still to come, second leg in Pretoria on April 9!
The Super Falcons began the game well, pressing the South Africans at the MKO Abiola Stadium. But the team could not convert.
However, following sustained pressure, South Africa’s Niko hacked down Chinwendu Ihezuo in the box. Rasheedat stepped up to the plate, slotting the ball home to give Nigeria the win.
The Super Falcons could have added more when play resumed in the second half. But a combination of poor finishing and brave defending stopped them.
Following Friday’s game, the Super Falcons will fly to South Africa for the second leg of the last phase of qualification.
The winner of the two-legged encounter will pick a ticket for the Paris Olympic Games later in the summer.