National Teams
Paris 2024 WCQ: Nigeria 1-0 Cameroon: Okoronkwo sends Super Falcons into fourth round
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria’s senior women’s national team booked a place in the final round of the Paris 2024 Caf Women’s Olympic Qualifiers after a 1-0 win over Cameroon in the return leg of the third-round clash in Abuja on Monday.
Esther Okoronkwo’s first half strike was all the Super Falcons required to reach the next stage of the qualification tournament for the first time since 2015.
After a 0-0 draw in the first leg, coach Randy Waldrum made two changes to the team that played in Douala, bringing in Esther Okoronkwo and Jennifer Echegini in place of Halimatu Ayinde and Asisat Oshoala.
For coach Jean Baptiste Bisseck, the Cameroonian gaffer started captain Aboudi Onguene Gabrielle who played the previous match from the bench.
Rasheedat Ajibade and Okoronkwo had the first set of chances in the first eight minutes of the game.
Okoronkwo broke the deadlock for the former African champions in the 14th minute as she put the ball into the back of the net after a good play by Echegini inside the box.
Echegini had the chance to double the lead but Cameroon goalkeeper, Michaely Bihina denied her from close range in the 31st minute.
Before the end of the first period, Ajibade missed a one-on-one chance while Okoronkwo also had a chance played over the bar.
The second half was another keenly contested one as the Indomitable Lionesses came out in search of the leveler.
A header from Onguene in the 86th minute forced Chiamaka Nnadozie to a superb save.
Substitute Rinsola Babajide tried a long-range effort which didn’t trouble the Cameroon goalie.
Last-minute drama saw the Central African side reduced to ten players after Enganemben Annie was sent off for unsporting behaviour.
With a 1-0 aggregate score, the Super Falcons secured the win and will face the winner of Tuesday’s clash between South Africa and Tanzania in the fourth and final round of the qualifiers.
