Nigeria’s Super Falcons are one step away from qualifying for the Paris Olympics Games after a hard-fought 1-0 win against WAFCON defending champions South Africa’s Banyana Banyana at the MKO Stadium, Abuja on Friday.
The hosts created better chances in the early stages but failed to put any into the net.
Chiwendu Ihezuo and Uchenna Kanu were lively in Nigeria’s attack, causing problems for the South African defence.
The Super Falcons were awarded a penalty four minutes before the break when Ihezuo was brought down inside the box by Noko Matlou.
The Algerian referee Mehat Ghada who was spot on, wasted no time but point at the spot after a needless challenge from Banyana’s Noko Matlou.
Ajibade sent Swart the wrong way to hand the home team the lead going into the break.
The Super Falcons came close to doubling their lead in the 52nd minute but Swart made a brilliant save to prevent the ball from going into the net.
Desiree Ellis’s team struggled to create clear-cut chances against the number-one-ranked women’s team on the continent, meanwhile, Jermaine Seoposenwe had a shot saved by Chiamaka Nnadozie four minutes later.
It is the Falcons first win against South Africa since edging them on penalties in the final of the 2018 WAFCON.
The two teams will clash in the second leg in Pretoria next Tuesday at Loftus Stadium, Meanwhile, the winner of the match will join Brazil, Japan and world champions Spain who are already waiting in Group C.
The Olympics will take place in July and August in Paris and both Banyana and Nigeria are fighting to represent the continent for the third time in the event.
After appearing at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the Falcons failed to feature at the London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 games.
The Falcon’s beat outing at the Olympics was at Athens in 2004 when they reached the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, the other qualifier is between Morocco and Zambia.The Olympics will take place in July and August in Paris.
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