Nigeria’s Super Falcons Play Goalless Draw With Cameroon In 2024 Olympic Qualifiers

The Super Falcons of Nigeria played a Goalless draw with Cameroon in the first leg of the qualifier for the women’s football match at the 2024 Olympics.

The match, held at the Stade de la Réunification, Douala, on Friday, saw Nigeria struggling to find their rhythm against the Indomitable Lionesses.

Randy Waldrum, the Falcons’ head coach, took charge of the team after resolving contractual talks that previously led to his delegation of coaching duties to assistant coach Madugu Justine during the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Despite Waldrum’s return and the inclusion of Ashleigh Plumptre, who last played for Nigeria at the World Cup, the Falcons failed to replicate their earlier form that saw them defeat Ethiopia 5-1 on aggregate in November 2023.

Cameroon dominated the first half, leaving Nigeria unable to make significant progress into their opponent’s box.

A brief period of improved possession in the second half, sparked by the substitution of Toni Payne for Jennifer Echegini, nearly resulted in goals for the Falcons.

However, two goals from Echegini were ruled offside by match officials.

The return leg of the clash is scheduled to take place at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Nigeria on Monday.

The winner of the tie will proceed to face either Tanzania or South Africa in the final round of qualifiers.

Africa will send only two teams to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, scheduled to occur from July 26 to August 11, 2024.

The Super Falcons previously participated in the Olympics in 2000, 2004, and 2008.

This comes barely two week after Nigeria’s Super Eagles lost the African Nations Cup (AFCON) to Ivory Coast.