Nigerian players celebrate their goal against South Africa in the game
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 in a first-leg match in the final round of qualifiers.
Rasheedat Ajibade converted a 43rd-minute penalty to hand the Nigerians victory in the encounter in Abuja on Friday.
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 Africas Niko hacked down ChinwenduIhezuo in the box. Rasheedat stepped up to the plate, slotting the ball home to give Nigeria the lead.
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 Fridays game, the Super Falcons will fly to South Africa for the second leg of the last phase of qualification on Tuesday. The winner of the two-legged tie will pick a ticket to the Paris Olympic Games later in the summer.(Channels TV)
NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.