Super Falcons captain Rashidat Ajibade says his team is motivated to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics after a 1-0 win over rivals South Africa in the first leg of the final qualifier. . punch I will report.
Nigeria last competed in women's soccer at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and is aiming to return to the Olympics for the first time in 16 years.
The Falcons took the lead on Friday with a narrow win over Banyana Banyana in the first leg at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. Ajibade scored a spot goal to give his team the lead ahead of a comeback. Pretoria on Tuesday.
Atletico Madrid forward Ajibade said the Falcons are motivated to qualify for the Olympics.
she said: “We are under no illusions. It will be a big and tough battle. For us, there are 90 minutes left until the long elusive ticket to the Olympics, but we will give our all.
“We want Nigerians to believe in the Super Falcons. Our players are highly motivated to play in the Olympics. Personally, I would like to play in every conceivable tournament, except the Olympics. I've played in it. Now's the time to do it.”
She added, “At the end of the day, the grass is going to be greener and it's going to be 11 players versus 11 players. We're ready.”
Ahead of the daunting challenge awaiting the Falcons at the 51,000-capacity Loftus Versfeld Stadium, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozi said the 11-time African champions are used to big moments.
“The Super Falcons are used to big battles and this is no different. Australia were playing on their home ground in the World Cup and we beat them.”
Randy Waldrum and his team left Nigeria for South Africa on Sunday.
Official training is scheduled to take place at Loftus Versfeld Stadium by 6:30pm today.
The Confederation of African Football once again selected North African referees for the second leg, with Tunisian Dorsaf Ghanouati as the referee, and compatriots Houda Afine and Emna Ajibouni as the first assistant referee and first assistant referee respectively. He was appointed as the fourth judge. Egyptian Yara Atef Saeed Abdelfattah will be the second assistant referee.
Agal Mezing from Cameroon will serve as referee evaluator and Cindy Doldole from e-Swatini will serve as match commissioner.
