The Nigerian Women’s National Football team, also known as the Falcons, won 4-0 against Ethiopia in the Olympic qualifiers. Their next opponent is Cameroon.
The Super Falcons have moved closer to securing their place in the 2024 Olympics in Paris following their 4-0 victory over Ethiopia in the second leg of the second round of the women’s football qualifiers. The match was played at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday. Nigeria’s captain Rasheedat Ajibade scored two goals in the second half, while Uchenna Kanu and Asisat Oshoala also scored in the first half. With this win, Nigeria will now proceed to the last round of the qualifying series where they will face the winners of the other game between Cameroon and Uganda. In the first leg of the doubleheader, the Falcons drew 1-1 against Ethiopia’s senior women’s team, also known as Lucy, at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa last Wednesday. The Falcons knew that only a win would send them through to the next round, and they achieved it with style.
Justin Madugu, the assistant coach, stood in for American head coach Randy Waldrum and made two changes to the team that drew in Addis Ababa. Rofiat Imuran replaced Nicole Payne at right-back, while Ifeoma Onumonu started upfront ahead of Monday Gift.
The game started slowly with neither team willing to take unnecessary risks. In the first 15 minutes, there were no clear-cut chances, but Kanu had the first opportunity which unfortunately went wide. In the 24th minute, Oshoala came close to scoring, but her attempt was saved by the Ethiopian goalkeeper.
Five minutes later, Ajibade missed a fine header by inches as the Falcons continued their search for the opening goal. In the 30th minute, Falcons’ goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made a brilliant save from close range from a free kick to prevent the visitors from taking the lead.