Nigeria’s Super Falcons on Friday night at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Nigeria’s capital city of Abuja got a slim 1-0 victory over the Bayana Bayana (Girls) of South Africa in their last hurdle to the 2024 Paris Olympics games first leg.
A careless sliding tackle by a South African defender within the 18 yard box in the 41st minute of play was neatly converted by Captain Rasheedat Ajibade in the 43rd minute leaving goalkeeper Swart of South Africa stranded for the only goal of the match,
Nigeria lost many scoring chances in the second half but the one by Uchena Kanu who was thorn in the flesh of the South Africans from the left flank was most disappointing for it was an obvious 2nd goal.
Nigerians were mostly disappointed that the Nigerian Football Federation could not arrange a live coverage but were instead busy pursuing media men from the VIP stand.
Two key defenders of Nigeria in Tosin Demehin and “Oyinbo” Ashleigh Plumptre are missing due to injuries but Nigerian Coach; America’s Randy Waldrum said before the match he would use ‘Option B tactics to paralyze South Africa’.
Well then Nigeria’s moment of decision will be the second leg with South Africa on Tuesday 9th of April in Pretoria.
The rivalry of both countries in African soccer is off the roof though the Super Falcons are the most decorated African women’s team in Africa reportedly winning 11 out of 14 Women African Cup of Nations title.
In WAFCON, Nigeria beat South Africa 2-1 on 22nd October 2014; won by a lone goal on 29th November 2016; South Africa won by a lone goal 18th November 2018 while it was 0-0 on 1st December 2018. South Africa slammed Nigeria on home ground on 21st September 2021 in a friendly before dethroning Nigeria 2-1 to become African Champions on 4th July 2022.
Nigeria is currently ranked 36th in the world while South Africa is ranked 51st but both countries reached the last 16 of the Women’s world cup staged in Australia and New Zealand.
Nigeria’s last five matches were 31st October 2023 Nigeria 4 Ethiopia 0 in Olympic qualifier; on 30th November 2023 Nigeria walloped Cape Verde 5-0 in WAFCON qualifier; on 8th December 2023 Nigeria beat Cape Verde 2-1 on their home ground; then Cameroon played goalless in first leg of Olympic qualifier on 23rd February 2024 before Nigeria piped the Cameroonian by a lone goal in Abuja for the 2nd leg on 26th February 2024.
South Africa drowned DR Congo 2-0 in Olympic qualifier on 30th October 2023; played Burkina Faso Babes 1-1 in first leg of WAFCON qualifier and pushed the Burkina Babes out in the 2nd leg 2-0 on 4th December 2023; Taifa Stars of Tanzania ladies came up for Olympic qualifiers with 0-3 bashing on home grounds on 23rd February 2024 before South Africa just threw dust in their eyes 1-0 in the 2nd leg in JO’Borg on 27th February 2024.
South Africa is seeking a 3rd appearance at the Olympics in 2012 and 2016 with both ending at group stages but Nigeria already has three appearances in 2000; 2004 and 2008. Nigeria reached the quarterfinals in 2004 when she on 20th August 2004 lost to Germany 2-1 in Patres, Greece. Germany that year lost to USA 2-1 in the Semifinal and USA won the Gold beating Brazil 2-1 in the final.
Winner between Super Falcons of Nigeria and Bayana Bayana (Girls) of South Africa will be in Group C of the women’s final in Paris with Spain; Japan and Brazil.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
