THE Super Falcons of Nigeria booked their spot in the next round of the qualifying series for the Paris 2024 Olympics women’s football event with a 4-0 victory over Ethiopia in Abuja today.
The three-time African champions progressed to the third qualifying round 5-1 on aggregate having drawn 1-1 with Ethiopia in the first leg in Addis Ababa last week
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade netted twice, with Uchenna Kanu and Asisat Oshoala scoring the other goals today at the sparsely populated Moshood Abiola National Stadium to brush off the Ethiopians.
After struggling to put together fluid moves against the defensive visitors for most of the first half, the Super Falcons finally found the breakthrough just before half-time, Kanu latching on to a long ball to score from inside the Ethiopia box.
Having finally found a way past the stubborn Ethiopians, Nigeria put their superiority on full display after the break, scoring three times.
Ajibade, who scored the only goal for the Super Falcons in Addis Ababa, increased Nigeria’s advantage five minutes into the second half, sweeping home Oshoala’s low cross from the left.
Barcelona striker Oshoala, who made history last night by finishing 20th in the Women’s Ballon d’Or ranking, the highest ever by an African woman, got herself on the score sheet with the Super Falcons’ third.
The tall striker guided a powerful header into the Ethiopia net off a brilliant cross from the left by the impressive Kanu in the 68th minute to take the tie beyond the East Africans.
Five-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year Oshoala then combined again with Ajibade for the fourth goal, crossing for the Atletico Madrid star to score in the 72nd minute.
The Super Falcons will face either Uganda or Cameroon in the next qualifying round.
