Super Falcons Walk On A Tight Rope, Pips Bayana Bayana By A Lone Goal

By Olopade Sakiru

The Nigerian Female National Team, the Super Falcons recorded a slim victory against their arch rivals, South African Bayana Bayana in the first leg of the last round of 2024 Olympic qualifiers for the women's football event, played at the M.K.O. Abiola International Stadium, Abuja.

Super Falcons were in control of the game from the blast of the whistle but unable to convert many chances that came their ways.

The captain of the Nigerian Side, Rasheedat Ajibade scored the only goal of the encounter from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute.

Prior to the goal, Super Falcons had lost several chances with Chinwendu Ihezuo being the culprit.

The Bayana Bayana shot stopper, Kaylin Swart was at her best to keep the score line low with so many daring saves to deny Super Falcons from winning by wide goal margin.

Speaking to journalists after the match, the Super Falcons Head Coach, Randy Waldrum, lamented that his team was unlucky not to have won the game with big margin.

" I thought we were a bit unfortunate not to have at least two or three goals victory tonight but I think the team played well."

" However, the bottom line is that, we have one game left and we have to get the result in South Africa." -- Waldrum concluded.

Nigeria will travel to Pretoria for the return leg of the encounter at Loftus  Versfeld Stadium on April 9th, 2024.

Super Falcons are yet to qualify for the Olympics since 2008 , despite being the most successful female team in Africa, reaching the knock out stage at the women's world cup.

Bayana Bayana are the reigning champions of women African cup of Nations.