The Super Falcons claimed a 1-0 victory over South Africa in the first leg of their 2024 Paris Olympics qualifiers South Africa at the Moshood Abiola Stadium on Wednesday.
The game was expected to be a tough one for the Super Falcons, but they put up a solid performance to get the victory. There were a few things to note about the game, though.
In the proceeding paragraphs, Soccernet.ng will highlight some of the key points to note from the game.
Rasheedat Ajibade is the Super Falcons' go-to woman
The Super Falcons is one of the most talented teams on the continent, and they have a lot of star players. For years, former Barcelona star Asisat Oshoala has been the poster girl for the team, but she hardly ever replicates her club brilliance on the international stage. Ajibade, on the other hand, has grown her profile over the years and has consistently delivered for the Super Falcons.
She proved her ability once again, leading the team out as the captain and scoring the penalty that sealed the win for Randy Waldrum's ladies. Oshoala started the game from the bench. Perhaps, in the second leg in South Africa, she may play a more important role.
Randy Waldrum made some big calls
Randy Waldrum made some big calls in the game. The American tactician named Chiwendu Ihezuo, a relatively unknown star, in the starting eleven. Also, he benched Oshoala, albeit the reason for that is unknown. She arrived camp late, and that was possibly the reason she was dropped.
Eventually, Ihezuo won the penalty for Nigeria. However, she missed some big chances that could have made the goal margin bigger.
Chiamaka Nnadozie remains a gem
Nnadozie put up another solid performance in goal. She made two good saves, and was quite commanding in between the sticks for the Super Falcons. She would be instrumental if Nigeria want to seal the ticket to the Olympics.
Super Falcons' lost chances could haunt them
The scoreline could have easily been 4-0, but the Super Falcons missed a lot of chances. Ihezuo was culpable for some of the missed chances, Uchenna Kanu also missed some opportunities. Waldrum would hope that the missed chances do not haunt them in the second leg.
Nigerian fans could do better
An important factor for the Super Falcons was the home advantage, but fans did not troop into the stadium as expected. The stadium looked quite scanty, but the fans who managed to make it to the stadium did their best. If the crowd at the stadium was bigger, that would have unsettled the South African and given Nigeria the upper hand.
Please,ask NFF why take super falcons to Abuja, knowing people leave far away from the stadium, even if you make it free,the transport to and from the stadium alone, will definitely dig a hole in your pocket, they have Delta State, and Rivers State,where female football is watched by thousands,if you now make it a free watch there, you can imagine, when we say, put people wey Sabi think at the top, Nigerians go dey talk tribe and religion
you really hit the nail on the head,
that two states are the best interms of female football.
but Nigeria system is always wrong all the time.
you will surely see the kind of crowds south Africa will gather on the return leg,
hope it doesn’t affect us