Nigeria will face either arch rivals South Africa or Tanzania for a place in the women’s football event of the 2024 Olympic Games, after scaling the hurdle of West African rivals Cameroon in the penultimate round of the qualifiers on Monday in Abuja.
Thanks to Esther Okoronkwo’s 15th-minute goal at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, the Super Falcons reached the final round of the African qualifying series with an aggregate 1-0 win over the Lionesses, who forced them to a goalless draw in the first leg last Friday on Douala.
Okoronkwo latched onto a ball which came back to her after goalkeeper Michaely Bihina had parried Rasheedat Ajibade’s chip.
After taking the lead, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie did her bit to protect Nigeria’s advantage, as she stopped the Lionesse, who came close in the 32nd minute from a corner kick when Menene Meyong got her head to the ball.