Paris Olympics: Super Falcons Take Slim One-Goal Lead To South Africa

Nigeria Super Falcons will take a one-goal lead into the second leg of the Paris Olympics Women’s Football event qualifier against South African’s Bayana Bayana on Tuesday, following their 1-0 first-leg win at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Friday.

The second leg of the final round of the qualifier will be played in Pretoria on Tuesday with the aggregate winner picking the Paris Olympics ticket.

Since their last appearance in 2008, where they finished bottom of their group, the serial African champions have failed to qualify for the next three; in 2012, 2016 and 2020.

If they fail to make it to the 2024 tournament, their next shot would be 20 years later, in 2028.

As part of that 2008 squad, goalkeeper Tochi Oluehi is the only member of the current squad with Olympic experience, and she says a fourth failure on the bounce is not to be countenanced.”We don’t even want to think about it,” she told ESPN.

“Because it is going to break our hearts, not just as players but the country too. We know how heart-breaking it was the last time, and we don’t want to suffer that again.

“Securing a slim 1-0 win in Abuja has put the Falcons in a tight corner when they play the Afri-can champions at home on Tuesday.

After a barrage of misses, Super Falcons captain, Rashidat Ajibade, scored the only goal of the match from the spot in the 43rd minute. Efforts to increase the tally failed as the game ended 1-0 in favour of Nigeria.