Nigeria’s Super Falcons advanced to the last qualifying round of the 2024 Olympic Games with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses at Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Monday.
Randy Waldrum’s team won the two-legged match 1-0 on aggregate.
The Super Falcons dominated the game from the start, taking the lead in the 14th minute thanks to Esther Okoronkwo.
Okoronkwo, who was picked ahead of Asisat Oshoala in the starting lineup, scored after a goalmouth scramble.
The hosts increased the pressure on the Indomitable Lionesses, creating further opportunities.
Jennifer Echegini, a Juventus midfielder, came close to extending Nigeria’s lead a minute after the hour mark but was denied from close range by the Cameroon goalkeeper.
Okoronkwo squandered a wonderful opportunity to double the Super Falcons’ lead six minutes before halftime.
Ashleigh Plumptre set up the forward with a wonderful long ball, but she blasted over the bar.
Four minutes before halftime, Nigeria’s Halimat Ayinde replaced Oluwatosin Demehin.
No goals were scored in the second half.
Cameroon’s Enganemben Annie was sent off late in stoppage time for unsportsmanlike conduct.
In the last round, the Super Falcons will meet either the African champions South Africa or Tanzania.
South Africa leads 3-0 from the first leg.