National Teams
Paris 2024 Qualifiers: Nigeria 0-0 Cameroon: Falcons hold Lionesses in Douala
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria’s senior women’s national team and their counterpart from Cameroon played out a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the Paris 2024 Olympics Qualifiers in Douala on Friday.
Ashleigh Plumptre who is returning to the Super Falcons for the first time after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup along with coach Randy Waldrum started the match.
The American coach key faith with regulars like Chiamaka Nnadozie, Oluwatosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale, Michelle Alozie, Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe, Deborah Abiodun, Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, and Toni Payne that started the game.
Cameroon coach, Jean Baptiste Bisseck kept experienced Aboudi Onguene on the bench.
Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina was the busiest as she kept the team in the game.
The Central African side had the best chance of the first half as Charlene Meyong forced Nnadozie to a save.
The introduction of Onguene in the second half produced more pressure on the Super Falcons’ defence line.
Esther Okoronkwo thought she had given Nigeria the lead after her introduction but her goal was ruled out for a foul on the Cameroonian goalkeeper.
A good cross from Michele Alozie from the left wing was not well connected into the back of the net.
Cameron survived and held on for a draw ahead of the return leg taking place in three days in Abuja.
This will be the first time that the nine time African champions will play out a 0-0 draw after putting out the same result on three occasions against Canada, Republic of Ireland, and England at the last World Cup.
The winner of the game in aggregate will face either South Africa or Tanzania in the final round of the Qualifiers.
