Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Tunde Eludini
Published on 2024-02-23 07:26:56
Nigeria and Cameroon, two fierce rivals and giants of African women’s football, will be facing off in the penultimate round of the African qualifying series for the 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. The first leg of the tie is set for Douala, with the second leg scheduled to take place 72 hours later in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria continue to receive praise for their impressive performance at the last FIFA Women’s World Cup, where they made it to the Round of 16 without losing a match in regulation time. The team is determined to return to the global stage and showcase their capabilities once again. Since their appearance at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the Super Falcons have been unsuccessful in their subsequent attempts to qualify for the Olympic Games.
Coach Randy Waldrum has carefully selected a talented squad of 21 players for the Olympic qualification mission. The team includes skilled players such as Ashley Plumptre, Halimatu Ayinde, Toni Payne, Christy Ucheibe, and Deborah Abiodun. With renowned goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and forwards Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, Uchenna Kanu, Gift Monday, and Esther Okoronkwo, the Super Falcons boast a formidable lineup capable of taking on any defense.
The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, who narrowly defeated Uganda in the second round, have their own grievances against Nigeria. The team is seeking to avenge their previous losses and secure a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics. While star player Ajara Njoya Nchout will be absent, the Lionesses remain a force to be reckoned with on their own turf.
The other pairings in the African qualifying series include South Africa’s Banyana Banyana facing Tanzania, Tunisia taking on Morocco, and Ghana hosting Zambia. The winners of the respective matchups will compete for the remaining African tickets to the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Both Nigeria and Cameroon will be eager to secure victory and continue their pursuit of Olympic qualification. The second-round qualifiers will determine which African teams will have the opportunity to compete on the global stage in women’s football. The stage is set for an intense battle between these two African football powerhouses, as they strive to make their mark on the world stage once again.
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