Esther Okoronkwo made the difference as she scored the only goal to hand the Super Falcons of Nigeria a 1-0 win over Cameroon in the second leg of the penultimate round of the 2024 Olympic Qualifiers on Monday evening.
Both sides played out a goalless draw in the first leg in Douala last Friday and after early pressure by the Falcons, they took the lead in the Federal Capital Territory in the 14th minute when Okoronkwo tapped in from close range after a brilliant buildup from Jennifer Echegini.
Echegini made an attempt to double Nigeria’s lead in the 31st minute but her effort from close range was dealt with by Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina.
Bihina had to be alert six minutes later to deny Atletico Madrid Femenino forward Rasheedat Ajibade. Al-Ittihad defender Ashleigh Plumptre set up Okoronkwo nicely in the 39th minute but the Saint-Etienne forward fired over the bar.
Cameroon captain Gabrielle Onguene tried to head the ball in the 86th minute to equalise, which would have given the Indomitable Lionesses the advantage on away goals, but Nigeria’s number one Chiamaka Nnadozie stopped it.
The Lionesses were reduced to 10 players when Annie Enganenben was given a straight red card for unsporting behaviour.
????FULL TIME! in Abuja ????
Nigeria ???????? 1-0 Cameroon ???????? (1-0 on agg)
⚽Esther Okoronkwo 14′
We are through to the fourth round of the Caf Women’s Olympic qualifier. We will face winner between South Africa ???????? or Tanzania ???????? in April#SoarSuperFalcons #CAFWOQ #NGACAM #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/A0FdPcR8IV
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) February 26, 2024
The Falcons will get to face the winner of the tie between South Africa and Tanzania.
The reigning Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champions hold the advantage after a 3-0 first-leg win in Daar es Salaam.
