National Teams
Paris 2024 Olympics qualifiers: What we learned from Nigeria win over Cameroon

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
It is no longer news that Nigeria’s senior women’s national team edged Cameroon 1-0 on aggregate to make it to the fourth and final round of Paris 2024 Olympics Qualifiers on Monday.
Esther Okoronkwo’s 14th minute was crucial for the nine-time African champions over the difficult Indomitable Lionesses.
As the team looks forward to likely face African champions, South Africa in the final round of the Qualifiers, below are lessons from the return leg clash.
Team composure
The Super Falcons were more composed in Abuja than they were in the first leg in Douala last Friday.
Cameroon were stronger physically and fitter than Nigeria in Abuja but Randy Waldrum’s side showed more purpose.
They used their tactics and experience to outclass the Central African side.
Wastefulness in front of goal
The Super Falcons had more goal-scoring chances in the second leg than the first leg but continue to endure a toothless run of form under Randy Waldrum.
Two goals were canceled in the first leg but the team ought to have killed the return leg game after the first half.
Rasheedat Ajibade and Okoronko had early chances in the first ten minutes to break the deadlock.
After going ahead, the duo also had goal-scoring chances. Ajibade had a one-on-one chance straight at Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina.
Okoronkwo also had a similar chance which went over the bar.Waldrum needs to correct this ahead of the deciding round.
Starting Echegini and Okoronkwo paid off
The two changes made by Waldrum which was bringing Echegini and Okoronkwo to replace Halimatu Ayinde and Asisat Oshoala respectively paid off.
In the build-up to the winning goal, Christy Ucheibe sent a long ball to Echegini who did well to locate Okoronkwo for the goal.
The chemistry leading to the goal showed audacity from Waldrum to make such changes to the starting lineup after the duo made impactful display as substitutes in the first leg.
Deborah Abiodun continues to impress
The University of Pittsburgh midfielder continues to show her talent in the middle of the pack for the team.
She played a holding role and also portrayed her defensive abilities.
The midfield at some points was flat-footed and taken over by the Cameroonians but Abiodun who was nominated for the CAF Young Player of the Year was able to weather the storm.
Waldrum tactical abilities need to improve ahead of the final round
With Nigeria facing Desiree Ellis’ South Africa in the final round, Randy Waldrum will have to bring out his tactical cap to be able to end his losing streak against the African champions.
It is on record that South Africa has beaten Waldrum-led Super Falcons on two occasions.
A 4-2 loss at the Aisha Buhari Cup in 2021 was followed by another 2-1 defeat in the group stage of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
To be able to end this losing streak, Waldrum will have to show that he has learned his lessons from the previous encounters with Ellis’ side.
In a bid to achieve this, he has to come up with superior tactics to beat the reigning African champions in April.