The Super Falcons qualified for the Olympics for the first time since 2008, after beating South Africa’s Banyana Banyana 1-0 on aggregate Tuesday.
The Falcons secured a hard-fought 0-0 draw in Pretoria, to land the qualification ticket, going through with a 1-0 aggregate score.
This is the first time in 16 years that Nigeria will be qualifying for the Olympics in women’s Football.
The Falcons will join Spain, Japan and Brazil at Paris 2024.
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The two teams now took their battle to Loftus Versfeld for the second-leg encounter.
Nigeria dominated play in the first half and they were rewarded when Noko Matlou brought down Chiwendu Ihezuo inside the box.
Up stepped Rasheedat Ajobade who beat Kaylin Swart from the penalty spot two minutes before half-time.
Even after Banyana controlled proceedings in the second-half, they struggled for a breakthrough and they now carry a 1-0 deficit heading into the second-leg clash.
Ajibade deserves some special recognition after grabbing the goal that separated the two teams.
Coming close to her is Banyana goalkeeper Swart who is also worth mentioning for limiting the damage with crucial saves especially in the first-half.
After being instrumental for Banyana in earlier rounds, Thembi Kgatlana had a quiet game by her standards except for her late effort saved by Nigeria goalkeeper Choamaka Nnadozie.
Usually reliable, Kgatlana could, however, be trusted to pick herself up in the second-leg match.
