Olympic Qualifier: Super Falcons Play 1-1 With Ethiopia

By: Gyang Dakwo

Super Falcons of Nigeria kick started their quest to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games with a 1- 1 draw with Ethiopia at the Abebe Bikila Stadium, Addis Ababa, on Wednesday.

The Super Falcons, who faced an unfortunate exit at the last 16 stage in the 2023 Women’s World Cup were unimpressive as they could not contain the Ethiopians. However, they stood their ground and came back from a goal down against a team that has yet to qualify for a major global competition.

The home side took the lead barely seven minutes into the encounter from Birkie Amare through our poorly managed goalmouth scramble.

Nigeria came close to levelling things up in the 27th minute but Gift Monday’s effort was thwarted by a solid Ethiopian defence.

Four minutes after the restart, the Super Falcons captain for the day, Rasheedat Ajibade, equalised with a superb long-range strike.

Nigeria were without their manager Randy Waldrum who has commitments with the University of Pittsburgh Panthers women’s team where he serves as head coach.

The return leg is scheduled for the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday, 31st October 2023, with the winner on aggregate to square up to the winner of the Cameroon/Uganda fixture for a place in the final round of the qualification series.