A objective from staff captain, Rasheedat Ajibade was the breather as Nigeria emerged victorious over the Banyana Banyana of South Africa on the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, Soccernet.ng studies.
Coach Randy Waldrum referred to as Pachuca ahead, Chinwendu Ihezuo, into the Falcons’ beginning lineup as Asisat Oshoala couldn’t full the staff’s coaching classes attributable to a late arrival.
Ihezueo got here near breaking the impasse inside 5 minutes after a ball from Jennifer Echegini discovered her in area, however her effort went large. She headed in the direction of objective from a Chidinma Okeke cross within the 18th minute, however the consequence of her try was the identical as the primary.
Her resilience paid off with 4 minutes left earlier than the half-time whistle. A mazy run from the 26-year-old striker noticed South Africa’s Niko journey her within the field.
Atletico De Madrid Femenino winger, Rasheedat Ajibade, stepped as much as take the ensuing spot-kick. The Nigerian winger despatched the ball to the right-hand aspect of the objective. South Africa’s Kaylin Swart obtained a hand to it, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to maintain the ball from moving into.
The second began with Nigeria piling the stress on. Ajibade despatched Uchenna Kanu by on objective within the 52nd minute, however the Racing Louisville FC striker despatched her try large.
As time went on, the 11-time WAFCON winners began to play it secure to keep away from conceding any objective and forestall foolish errors that would value them once they face South Africa subsequent week.
🏁 FULL TIME! in Abuja 📍
Nigeria 🇳🇬 1-0 South Africa 🇿🇦
Rasheedat Ajibade 43′
First leg ✅ Nonetheless to come back, second leg in Pretoria on April 9!
Abuja, thanks on your assist!
📱#SoarSuperFalcons| #NGARSA| #CAFWCQ| #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/gsqytQuIfg
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) April 5, 2024
Randy Waldrum was with out two of his essential gamers in defence and he can be glad his staff held the forte at residence, leaving the destiny of the tie to the return leg in South Africa when each side meet once more on Tuesday.
Nigeria will hope their one-nil benefit is sufficient once they journey to the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria to tackle Desiree Ellis’ staff on Tuesday, April 9.
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