The Super Falcons of Nigeria have secured qualification for the 2024 Olympics after a 16-year absence from the competition.
Under the leadership of Coach Randy Waldrum, the team clinched qualification on Tuesday by holding Bayana Bayana of South Africa to a goalless draw, winning 1-0 on aggregate.
In the second leg held on Tuesday evening in Pretoria, the Falcons’ resolute defense ensured a goalless draw, sealing Nigeria’s first Olympic qualification since 2008—a historic achievement for the nation’s women’s football team.
Throughout the match, Nigeria’s defense thwarted all scoring opportunities initiated by the South African team.
In the first leg of the fixture played at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Friday, the Falcons secured a 1-0 victory over the Banyana Banyana, courtesy of a first-half penalty by Rasheedat Ajibade. This advantage proved crucial in sealing their qualification.
Despite efforts by players like Uchenna Kanu to break the deadlock in Pretoria, with her attempt from the right deflected for a corner by a South African defender, the Falcons remained solid. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie displayed confidence throughout the match.
Having reached the quarter-finals at the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year, the Falcons have now earned qualification for the women’s football event at the Olympics for the first time since 2008.
In previous Olympic qualifiers, they were eliminated in the third round in 2016 (Rio, Brazil) and 2020 (Tokyo, Japan) by Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast, respectively.
The Falcons’ previous Olympic appearances were in 2000, 2004, and 2008.
The 2024 Olympics is slated to take place in Paris, France, from July 26 to August 11, 2024.