Nigeria won a 1-0 victory against Bayana Bayans of South Africa in the first-leg of the final qualification round for the women at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Abuja on Friday.
Rasheedat Ajibade was the heroine for the Super Falcons as her converted penalty sealed the victory for the home side in their final qualifier.
The Super Falcons was dominant in the match, with Ihezuo narrowly missing a scoring opportunity in the fifth minute after a precise pass from Echigini.
Thirteen minutes later, Ihezuo’s header from Okeke’s cross further threatened the Banyana Banyana defence.
A run by Chinwendu Ihezuo into the penalty area led to a foul, leading to the referee awarding a penalty in favour of Nigeria.
Ajibade stepped converted as half-time beckoned.
Banyana Banyana launched a fightback after the break when Seoposenwe tested Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie in the 56th minute, but her efforts were in vain.
With the final whistle blowing, Nigeria emerged triumphant with a slender 1-0 victory in the inaugural leg of the final qualifying round.
South Africa now face an uphill battle as they seek to overturn the deficit during the return leg slated for April 9 in Pretoria
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