February 24, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s senior women’s national football team, the Super Falcons, scored a late goal to win 1-0 and punch their ticket to the Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON), in Morocco later this year.
On Wednesday, the Super Falcons triumphed over their Ivorian counterparts with an 88th-minute winner at the Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan, to win 3-0 on aggregate and exert vengeance on the team that denied them an appearance at the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
The victory in the reverse fixture came courtesy of determined defending and excellent goalkeeping as Chiamaka Nnadozie saved a penalty kick during the game with a strong palm to keep the tie goalless.
With their pursuit for goals, the Ivorians were beginning to drive the Super Falcons into committing fouls and getting booked, but Esther Okoronkwo’s goal took the wind out of their sails.
From the 88th minute after the goal, there was not much the hosts could do to come back from a 3-0 aggregate and by the time the final whistle confirmed the qualification of the Super Falcons for Morocco, the Nigerians had completed a shut out of the free goal-scoring Ivorians over two legs.
Although team captain Asisat Oshoala was absent due to injury, the team qualified comfortably and it is hoped that Randy Waldrum’s ladies will have their captain in the side again when the AWCON begins in Morocco, billed for between July 2 – 23.
The ball is now in the court of their male counterparts, the Super Eagles, to do same against the Black Stars of Ghana next month.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.