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Falcons play goalless with S’Africa Banyana, qualify for Olympics
The Super Falcons played a goalless draw with South Africa at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Tuesday to earn a spot in the women's football competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
The Falcons, who have never lost on South African territory, entered the match with a 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Abuja on Friday. They knew they had to avoid a loss to break their 16-year streak, and they succeeded in doing so to silence the home fans.
The 11-time African champions will compete in the Olympics for the first time since Beijing 2008 thanks to their qualification.
Randy Waldrum, an American coach, stuck with the same team that won five days ago at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
In the first few minutes, Banyana Banyana applied pressure to the Falcons in an attempt to capitalise on their home field advantage and tie the score at the sound of the whistle.
The African champions applied early pressure, but the Falcons held their ground, stringing passes and coming dangerously close to scoring four minutes into the game. After dribbling past her marker and floating a lovely cross into the South African area, Captain Rasheedat Ajibade's shot was directly at goalkeeper Kaylin Swart, for the hosts. Chinwendu Ihezuo scored.
The Falcons dominated the first forty-five minutes of play, creating numerous opportunities to increase their lead.
Nigeria nearly took the lead two minutes after creating their first opportunity when Swart misread Chiamaka Nnadozie's long clearance, allowing Ihezuo to shoot at goal. However, a Banyana defender thwarted the striker, scrambling to clear for a throw-in.
After that, Nigeria dominated the first few minutes of play. However, there was a frightening moment for the visitors in the tenth minute when Osinachi Ohale's mishandled pass was intercepted by a Banyana striker. Fortunately for Ohale, her team conceded a corner, much to the relief of the defender.
Nnadozie, who had been a spectator for the most of the game, was summoned into action by Nomvula Kgoale, dubbed the "Lipstick Lady," in the 38th minute. The midfield player attempted a long-range shot, but the custodian from France calmly stopped it.
Kanu was left alone with the opposing custodian with just five minutes remaining in the first half of the match, but her chest control failed her down. The winger had been set up by the raiding Michelle Alozie.
After Jennifer Echegini launched a brilliant counterattack, Kanu squandered yet another fantastic opportunity to put the game beyond the home team before the referee ended the first half.
Toni Payne was substituted for Kanu by Waldrum at the start of the second half after the latter took a knock shortly before both teams entered the tunnel.
Naturally, the hosts fired up after the break. With the fans in their corner, Desiree Ellis' team unleashed a barrage of offensive plays on the Falcons, but the visitors' defensive line and Nnadozie proved to be too strong, holding the hosts at a distance.
The Falcons were content to watch the pressure build as few obvious opportunities were provided.
In an attempt to reclaim control, Waldrum substituted the industrious Echegini with Esther Okoronkwo in the 68th minute.
With seventy minutes remaining, South Africa believed they had tied the score, but Nnadozie once more responded quickly to save a low drive, keeping Banyana from close range.
Asisat Oshoala took Ihezuo's place seven minutes before halftime, but the former Barcelona forward did not do much as the Falcons stayed in the defensive position and held onto their slim lead.
As the referee sounded the final whistle, there was a wild celebration on the Falcons bench as Nigeria's 16-year Olympic wait to play women's football came to an end.