Hard-fought victory for the Super Falcons in Abuja as Rasheedat Ajibade’s goal made the difference between Nigeria and Bayana Bayana of South Africa.
The visiting team started slowly at Moshood Abiola Stadium on a sweltering Thursday afternoon with temperatures reaching 35°C.
Nigeria created four opportunities in the opening 15 minutes of the encounter but failed to convert them into goals.
Persecondnews reports that the Super Falcons are not clinical in the final third, scoring four goals in their last four games, despite creating over 15 big chances.
In his post-match remarks, Randy Waldrum stated that his Nigerian side will work on their finishing.
In the first half, Matlou Noko’s ankle tackle on Ihezuo Chinwendu gave Nigeria a penalty, which Ajibade calmly converted.
The goal was enough for the Super Falcons, as they repelled everything the South African girls threw at them to end the first leg 1-0.
The Super Falcons coach rued the big chances missed by his players, claiming his team “was unfortunate not to have two or three goals” heading back into the second leg with the slender margin.
He said: “The team played really well defensively considering we had some new players in the back. The back four were solid, but we limited them (South Africa) to only two big chances.
“We controlled the game; we did what we wanted to achieve offensively, but we still have to be more clinical in the final third.”
“We have just one match left; the bottom line is that we need to go to South Africa and get results.”
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