The Nigeria female football team, (Super Falcons) defeated Bayana Bayana of South Africa by 1-0 in the first leg of qualifiers for football event of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja recently.
The Super Falcons got the only goal at 43 minute into the match which earned them a loud cheers from Nigerians who came out en mass to cheer them up.
The second and final leg will be played in Pretoria, South Africa on Tuesday, April 9 to decide the country to represent African continent in the up coming Olympic games taking place in Paris.
The Captain, Rasheed Ajibade’s penalty goal handed the Super Falcons of Nigeria a narrow 1-0 win over continental rivals, South Africa. The ladies kept their slender lead through the second half despite the South Africans efforts to get back in the game.
The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator Owan Enoh noted that the second leg of the match is just a few days to come, he urged the Super Falcons to preserve their advantage in the 2nd leg that will take place in Pretoria South Africa on Tuesday April 9.
The Super Falcon’s coach, Randy Waldrum, assured Nigerians that the girls will go into South Africa with a mindset to win and pick the Olympic ticket ahead of the Bayana Bayana. He commended the team and encouraged them to do more in the second leg.
Coach of South Africa, Desiree Ellis during a post-match conference commended her team and said it was a tight game adding the game is not over, going into the second leg in Pretoria. She however commended the match officials for a job well done.
Esther Onyenezide of the super Falcons however, assured that they will give their best going to Pretoria saying South Africans are not a team to be underrated.
The last time the Nigeria female national team played at the Olympic Games was in Beijing 2008, though the Super Falcons are the most decorated African women’s team winning 11 out of 14 Women African Cup of Nations title (WAFCON).
Signed
Kehinde Ajayi (Mrs)
Director Press and Public Relations Unit
FMSD
