Connect with us

Paris 2024 Olympics Games

Olympics Qualifiers Fate: In just another day

gettyimages-CAFonline

The final stretch to the global showpiece

 

CAFonline

 

South Africa – Nigeria: Advantage Super Falcons

 

A fixture that has grown into becoming an all-time African women’s football classic is on the cards yet again as South Africa prepares to welcome Nigeria to Pretoria for the return leg following a 1-0 loss to the Super Falcons in Abuja last week, CAFonline reports.

 

The Super Falcons are eyeing a fourth Olympic qualification. They will be banking on Randy Waldrum’s tactics to mastermind a good result away from home against the wounded African champions, who are gunning for their second Olympics appearance since 2016.

 

Morocco – Zambia: The Atlas Lionesses are in the driving seat

Morocco’s women’s national team made their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations debut in 2022, participated in their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, and are now on the verge of qualifying for the Olympics for the first time in their history.

 

A 2-1 win in Ndola has put the North Africans in the driving seat as they prepare to welcome the Copper Queens to Rabat, where a single goal from the star-studded Zambia squad could turn the match on its head.

 

Morocco may be in the driving seat, but it will take a lot to keep the Zambians from making their consecutive Olympics qualification despite being away from home.

 

Journey to the final round:

South Africa

2nd round

  • 10/25/23: DR Congo 1-1 South Africa
  • 10/30/23: South Africa 2-0 DR Congo

 

3rd round

  • 02/23/24: Tanzania 0-3 South Africa
  • 02/27/24: South Africa 1-0 Tanzania

 

4th round

  • 05/04/24: Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

 

Morocco

2nd round

  • 10/26/23: Namibia 2-0 Morocco
  • 10/31/23: Morocco 2-0 Namibia

 

3rd round

  • 02/23/24: Tunisia 1-2 Morocco
  • 02/28/24: Morocco 4-1 Tunisia

 

4th round

  • 04/05/24: Zambia 1-2 Morocco

 

Nigeria

2nd round

  • 10/25/23: Ethiopia 1-1 Nigeria
  • 10/31/23: Nigeria 4-0 Ethiopia

 

3rd round

  • 02/23/24: Cameroon 0-0 Nigeria
  • 02/26/24: Nigeria 1-0 Cameroon

 

4th round

  • 05/04/24: Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

 

Zambia

2nd round

  • 10/23/23: Mali – Zambia (Canceled)
  • 10/31/23: Zambia – Mali (Canceled)

 

3rd round

  • 02/23/24: Ghana 0-1 Zambia
  • 02/28/24: Zambia 3-3 Ghana

 

4th round

  • 04/05/24: Zambia 1-2 Morocco

 

Please follow and like us:
Editor
See Full Bio
Related Topics:
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Paris 2024 Olympics Games

Super Falcons pip Bayana Bayana

Nigeria women seize the initiative in the Olympic Games qualifier against South Africa

 

Nigeria surged ahead with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against South Africa in the first leg of the final qualification round for the women at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Abuja on Friday, CAFonline reports.
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 asserted their dominance early 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 defense, signaling the home side’s intent.
These near misses were a prelude to Nigeria’s breakthrough just before halftime.
A determined run by Chinwendu Ihezuo into the penalty area culminated in a foul, leading to the referee awarding a penalty in favor of Nigeria.
Ajibade stepped to the spot and calmly converted, granting the Super Falcons a crucial lead as halftime beckoned.
Banyana Banyana launched a spirited fightback after the break with Seoposenwe tested Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie in the 56th minute, but her efforts were thwarted.
Nnadozie continued to showcase her prowess, making another crucial save four minutes later to maintain Nigeria’s advantage.
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 faces an uphill battle overturning the deficit during the return leg slated for April 9 in Pretoria.

Please follow and like us:
Editor
See Full Bio
Continue Reading

Paris 2024 Olympics Games

Atlas Lionesses takedown Copper Queens

Morocco women edge closer to Olympic Games with away win in Zambia

 

 

Moroccan women’s national team edged closer to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games following their dramatic 2-1 first-leg triumph against hosts Zambia in Ndola on Friday, CAFonline reports.
The Atlas Lionesses secured the important away victory in the game’s dying embers, with striker Rosella Ayane grabbing the winner in the 95th minute.
This triumph puts the Atlas Lionesses in a commanding position as they prepare for the return leg on home soil next Tuesday.
Under the astute guidance of coach Jorge Vilda, the Moroccan squad displayed exceptional resilience and skill to outmaneuver their Zambian counterparts led by Bruce Mwape.

 

Despite facing early pressure, they withstood a penalty scare in the 33rd minute, brilliantly thwarted by Moroccan goalkeeper Khadija Rmichi, denying Prisca Chilufya’s attempt.
However, just before halftime, Morocco seized the initiative with a breathtaking goal by Zineb Redouani in the 45th minute from 30 yards plus, leaving Zambian goalkeeper Eunice Sakala helpless.
Upon resumption, the Moroccans faced relentless pressure from Zambia, eventually conceding an equalizer from Lushomo Mweemba in the 80th minute.

 

Yet, with the match seemingly destined for a stalemate, Ayane emerged as the hero, securing victory for Morocco in the game’s dying moments.
As Jorge Vilda’s squad prepares to return home, they will seek to replicate the form on Tuesday when they host Zambia in the return leg.

 

Please follow and like us:
Editor
See Full Bio
Continue Reading

Paris 2024 Olympics Games

Support your Super Falcons-NFF Scribe

Paris 2024: Sanusi calls on residents of Abuja and environs to troop out to support Falcons

 

By Rasheed Adewuyi

 

Falcon in straining

 

The General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, has implored Nigerians based in the Federal capital, Abuja, and environs, and indeed from neighboring States, to troop out in large numbers to the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Friday to support the Super Falcons in their Women’s Olympic Football Tournament African final qualifying, first leg game against South Africa.

 

Nine-time African champions Nigeria and reigning African champions South Africa clash in a potentially explosive affair at 5 pm on Friday in Nigeria’s magnificent sporting facility. The return leg is due for Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld arena on Tuesday next week.

 

“The NFF is calling on Nigerians from all over the Federal Capital Territory and the neighboring States, and indeed from all over Nigeria, to come out in their tens of thousands to cheer the Super Falcons to victory in the match against South Africa.

 

 

“This is a big match by all standards. We especially appeal to our people to come en masse and support the Super Falcons. We need to get a big win here to be in good standing before flying to South Africa. A handsome win here will bolster our ladies’ confidence and mentality to overcome in Pretoria,” Sanusi said.

 

Nigeria had not participated in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament since 2008 when the Falcons lost all three matches in the group phase in China.

 

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade said on Wednesday that the objective of Africa’s leading women’s team, the Falcons, has remained the same since the beginning of the qualifiers.

 

“Since playing Ethiopia, we have been committed to seeing these qualification series through. Our objective has always been to win a slot in the Olympics. Most of us are yet to play in the Olympics and it is a big issue with 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.”

 

Nigeria emerged as Africa’s top team at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand eight months ago. They were unbeaten in regulation time before exiting in the Round of 16 courtesy of a penalty shootout defeat by England.

 

At lunchtime on Wednesday, captain Ajibade and 20 other players were in the Super Falcons’ camp. The team had its first training session at the MKO Abiola Stadium on Wednesday morning.

 

The Banyana Banyana delegation arrived in Nigeria on Sunday.

 

In Camp:

 

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie, Tochukwu Oluehi, Linda Jiwuaku

 

Defenders: Jumoke Alani, Osinachi Ohale, Chidinma Okeke, Shukurat Oladipo, Michelle Alozie, Nicole Payne

 

Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini, Christy Ucheibe, Halimatu Ayinde

 

Forwards: Uchenna Kanu, Gift Monday, Omorinsola Babajide, Ifeoma Onumonu, Esther Okoronkwo, Chiwendu Ihezuo

 

Please follow and like us:
Editor
See Full Bio
Continue Reading
Exit mobile version