Super Falcons of Nigeria on Friday emerged victorious against arch rival South Africa at the MKO Abiola Stadium Abuja during a first leg fixture of the 2024 Olympics qualifier play-off; npflupdates.com reports.
The Super Eagles defeated the Bayana Bayana of South Africa in a normal regulation time for the first time in five meetings.
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Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade who in a pre-match press conference revealed the nine-time African champions are out to settle a score with the reigning African champions.
Super Falcons emerge victorious against rival South Africa
“From the time we played Ethiopia, we have been committed to seeing these qualification series through, “Ajibade told the Nigerian Football Federation Communications Department in a pre-match presser.
“Our objective has always been to win the slot for the Olympics. Most of us in the team are yet to play at the Olympics and this is a big issue for us. We want to be there in Paris.”
“There are a couple of issues the Super Falcons have to sort out with Banyana Banyana. However, that is not the motivation this time. The motivation is qualifying for the Olympics,” Ajibade said.
Aside from the fact that former Barcelona Femeni forward Asisat Oshoala is unused substitute in the fixture; there are two other important things to be taken away from the blockbuster fixture.
First, the Super Falcons were too wasteful in front of goal. The hosts created a lot of chances which if converted would’ve given the team a comfortable victory.
The former African champions will take the one-goal advantage to Pretoria and hope to keep a cleansheet.
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Secondly, Super Falcons defenders needed to be more aggressive when dealing with opposition forwards. Today, the defenders on several occasions were sloppy, giving away goal-scoring opportunities.
If they hope to keep a cleansheet in South Africa, and clinch its first ever Olympics ticket since 2008, they’ll have to tighten up.