The 2024 Olympics qualifier game between the Super Falcons of Nigeria and Ethiopia ladies on Wednesday ended in a draw npflupdates.com reports.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons failed to kick-start it’s 2024 Olympics qualifier with a win, after the team was held by Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.
Also read: “I’m Not Old” Super Falcons Attacker Relishes Herself
Ethiopia drew the first blood when they scored in the fifth minute through a Birkie Amare strike to take the lead.
Efforts by Nigeria to restore parity in the first half proved abortive, as the hosts held their positions and stood their grounds; hence they in lead at half-time.
The three-time African champions restored parity seven minutes into the second half from a strike by its stand-in Captain and Athletico de Madrid ladies Rasheedat Ajibade.
It ended in a stalemate at the end of normal duration at the prestigious Abebe Bikila Stadium.
“We shared the spoils with our hosts at Abebe Bikila Stadium. Let’s finish the job in Oct 31,” a post on Super Falcons Twitter (now X) handle read.
🏴 FULL TIME! in Addis Ababa 📍
🇪🇹 Ethiopia 1-1 Nigeria 🇳🇬
We shared the spoils with our hosts at Abebe Bikila Stadium. Let's finish the job in Abuja on Oct 31 📅
⚽Birkie Amare 6' (1-0)
⚽ @Rasheedat08 52' (1-1)#SoarSuperFalcons | #ETINGA| #Paris2024 | #OlympicsQualifiers pic.twitter.com/NyCs6QVXqL— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) October 25, 2023
Takeaway from Super Falcons and Ethiopia ladies clash
There are three important things fans of the former WAFCON champions should takeaway from the fixture:
First, new recruits Omorinsola Babajide and Opeyemi Ajakaye both made their debut today.
Rinsola Babajide came on for her first international cap, replacing Uchenna Kanu; while Opeyemi Ajakaye came on in the 80th minute to replace for CAF Player Of The Year Asisat Oshoala.
Second, Coach Madugu’s approach/formation to the game, is quite different from what the team was used to under Randy Waldrum. Waldrum wasn’t with the national team in its first outing since after the world cup.
Magudu in his place, tried and steadied the ship, though the girls communication was poor today.
The tactician put in a good shift when he introduced the duo of Rofiat Imuran & Ifeoma Onumonu for Gift Monday and Nicole Payne.
Also read: Randy Waldrum : Super Falcons May Be Less Important To Him – NFF
Finally, individual performances of the players wasn’t too notch, leaving Nigerians to wonder what may have happened to the players abilities.
Some players were sluggish, slow to actions, and played like they had a dampened morale. This point and more should be taken tlcare if by the handler ahead of the reverse fixture in Abuja this weekend.
