Super Falcons Miss Out On Olympics Qualification For The Third Time
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have been eliminated from the Tokyo 2020 qualifiers after bowing out to Cote d’Ivoire by the away goal rule.
Nigeria’s senior women football team are poised to miss out on the Olympic Games for the third time in a row after losing on away goals to their neighbouring rivals in Lagos on Monday.
Following a goal-less draw played out in Abidjan, both teams played a 1-all draw in their return leg in Lagos, with the Nigerian side eliminated on away goal rule.
This means that Christopher Danjuma’s side will be eliminated at the same stage they were four years ago.
In the return leg played in Lagos, the Nigerian gaffer, Christopher Danjuma made three changes to the team that started at Parc des Sports, Treichville, with Rasheedat Ajibade, Gift Monday and Ngozi Ebere earning a spot in the Starting XI.
The Super Falcons started the encounter on the front foot with Monday who was making her debut finding space in front of the Ivorian box, but her shot was denied by goalkeeper Djohore Cynthia just inside of eight minutes.
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However, the Ivorians recovered possession and went ahead against the run of play after Nina Kapho found the net just four minutes of later.
Consequently, the Super Falcons had to play catch-up but Asisat Oshoala saved them their blushes.
The Barcelona forward in the 28th minute made a brilliant solo run to restore parity six minutes later, just before the interval.
In the second forty-five minutes, Nigeria made an uninspiring start with Chinaza Uchenda and Folashade Ijamilusi coming on but they failed they couldn’t quite hit the mark.
The draw means that the reigning African champions have thwarted their chances of qualifying for the Olympics for the third year on the bounce under the reins of Coach Danjuma.
Conversely, Cote d’ivoire who progressed at the expense of Nigeria is poised to lock horns with either of the Democratic Republic of Congo or Cameroon.
