Nigeria Beats Ivory Coast, Qualifies For 2022 Women’s AFCON
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have qualified for the 12th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after beating the Lady Elephants of Ivory Coast 1-0 courtesy of an Esther Okonkwo strike at the Robert Champroux Stadium in Abidjan on Wednesday, winning 3-0 on aggregate.
Coach Randy Waldrum made two changes to the starting line-up from the first leg, bringing in midfielder Regina Otu and forward Francisca Ordega.
Our line up against Cote d’Ivoire 🇨🇮 this evening at Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan#AWCON2022Q #CIVNGA #SoarSuperFalcons #team9jastrong pic.twitter.com/8OUVLG6YCL
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) February 23, 2022
The Super Falcons went into the match with a 2-0 first leg advantage, knowing that they needed to preserve their advantage while seeking for victory against a resilient Ivory Coast side.
Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie was the heroine of the encounter as she saved a penalty in the 33rd minute to keep the Falcons in a commanding position.
After the break, the Ivorians came out firing in search of goals. However, their hope were dashed when Esther Okonkwo scored in the 87th minute to the shock of the home fans.
The all-important lone goal was enough to give the nine-time champions their passage into 2022 WAFCON scheduled to hold in Morocco in July 2nd to 23rd.
The Super Falcons celebrated qualification with a rendition of the National Anthem in front of Nigerians at the Robert Champroux Stadium.
Victory and qualification for Morocco 2022 was a form of revenge against the Ivorian ladies who stopped the Falcons from qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The Super Falcons produced a brave performance to defeat the Lady Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire to secure qualification in Abidjan thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie who was outstanding through out the match.
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Chidi Nwoke/Super Falcons.
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