Super Falcons qualify for Africa Women Cup of Nations with late winner in Abidjan

NIGERIA'S Super Falcons have qualified for the 12th Africa Women Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco later this year after beating Ivory Coast 1-0 in Abidjan tonight and qualifying with a 3-0 aggregate score.

Taking place between 2 and 23 July this year, the tournament also doubles as the African qualifiers to the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup. At Morocco 2022, the top four teams will qualify for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and two more teams will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.

Last Friday, the Falcons beat Ivory Coast 2-0 at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja and completed the job today with an 89th minute winner in Abidjan.  Esther Okoronkwo's late winner against the Lady Elephants at the Robert Champroux Stadium tonight, ensured that Nigeria advanced to the tournament.

Unfortunately, the return leg on Abidjan was played behind closed doors and the Ivorian police had to shoot tear gas to disperse the angry fans who tried to catch a glimpse of the Lady Elephants in action against Super Falcons. Super Falcons goalkeeper Chidozie Nnadozie saved a first half penalty to keep Nigeria in the game and shortly afterwards, the Falcons had a goal ruled out for offside.

As the match wore on, Ivory Coast pilled a lot of pressure on the Falcons but the Nigerian defence held firm. In the first half alone, the Falcons picked up three yellow cards as they were under the cosh but the nine times African champions held out and snatched all three points at the death on the counter-attack.