Super Falcons edge Banyana 1-0 in Olympic qualifier
Nigeria’s Super Falcons were without two integral members of their defence, Ashleigh Plumptre and Oluwatosin Demehin but managed to keep a clean sheet.
A goal from team captain, Rasheedat Ajibade was the breather as Nigeria emerged victorious over the Banyana Banyana of South Africa at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, Soccernet.ng reports.
Coach Randy Waldrum called Pachuca forward, Chinwendu Ihezuo, into the Falcons’ starting lineup as Asisat Oshoala couldn’t complete the team’s training sessions due to a late arrival.
Ihezueo came close inside five minutes after a ball from Jennifer Echegini found her in space, but her effort went wide. She headed towards goal from a Chidinma Okeke cross in the 18th minute, but the outcome of her attempt was the same as the first.
Her resilience paid off with four minutes left before the half-time whistle. A mazy run from the 26-year-old striker saw her tripped by South Africa’s Niko in the box.
Atletico De Madrid Femenino winger, Rasheedat Ajibade, stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick. The Nigerian winger sent the ball to the right-hand side of the goal. South Africa’s Kaylin Swart got a hand to it, but it wasn’t enough to keep the ball from going in.
The second started with Nigeria piling the pressure on. Ajibade sent Uchenna Kanu through on goal in the 52nd minute, but the Racing Louisville FC striker sent her attempt wide.
As time went on, the 11-time WAFCON winners started to play it safe to avoid conceding any goal and prevent silly mistakes that could cost them when they face South Africa next week.
