Nigeria 1 Cameroon 0: Okoronkwo goal enough for Super Falcons to beat Indomitable Lionesses

The Super Falcons defeated Cameroon 1-0 in the second leg of the third round of the Paris 2024 Olympics on Monday evening at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

Nigeria started the game on the front foot with Esther Okoronkwo and Rasheedat Ajibade threatening to get the opener but it was the away side that got the first shot on target.

The record African champions took the lead through Okoronkwo in the 14th minute who took advantage of a goal-mouth scramble after Jennifer Echegini dribbled her way into the penalty area.

Echegini had the chance to double the lead in the 31st minute from close range but was denied by the Cameroonian goalkeeper Biya Carthy.

Carthy would also deny Rasheedat Ajibade with a point-blank save in the 37th minute to keep Cameroon's hope alive.

Nigeria were forced to make their first change of the game four minutes before the end of the first half, as Tosin Demehin had to be brought off for Halimatu Ayinde.

The Super Falcons failed to create a clear-cut chance in the second half with the closest they got to scoring was when Asisat Oshoala worked her way into the box but couldn't test the goalkeeper or find a teammate.

Babajide Rinsola also attempted an ambitious long-range effort in the 88th minute but her effort was easily dealt with.

Cameroon wouldn't give up without a fight as they mounted pressure from two consecutive free kicks late on in the game but couldn't threaten Chiamaka Nnadozie.

The Indomitable Lionesses got reduced to ten men in the 91st minute after  Aboudi Onguene was sent off for a dangerous foul on Nnadozie.

They got the final chance of the game when a corner kick was delivered into the penalty area but the effort couldn't be directed towards the goal.

The result meant Nigeria are through to the fourth round of the qualifiers, having played a barren draw in the first leg, and will face the winner of the clash between South Africa and Tanzania in April.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com