2024 Olympic Qualifiers: Cameroon 0-0 Nigeria- Super Falcons denied victory after wrongly disallowed goal
Kelvin Omachonu
Nigeria’s Super Falcons had to settle for a goalless draw in the first leg of their 2024 Olympic qualifiers fixture against Cameroon at the Reunification Stadium, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Super Falcons were looking to get an advantage when they travelled to Douala to take on Cameroon in the first leg of the 2024 Women’s Football Olympic qualifiers.
Coach Randy Waldrum fielded a strong team, with the likes of Asisat Oshoala, Ashleigh Plumptre, and Rasheedat Ajibade all making the first eleven.
However, Cameroon started the game well, using their home advantage and pushing the Super Falcons back. They carved out a good chance in the 11th minute after some intricate passes from midfield, but they failed to take it.
The Super Falcons soon had some forward forays of their own, but they just lacked the vital final ball. They had their first big chance of the game in the 27th minute when Toni Payne received a long pass from the midfield in a counter-attacking situation. It was a two-on-two situation, and she had Oshoala for support. Then, she tried to tee up Oshoala in the box, but her pass was poor and was cleared out by the Cameroonian defence.
The Indomitable Lionesses held the ball for most of the first half, and they had a good chance to open the scoring in the 39th minute after a superb volley from outside the box. But Nnadozie leapt like a salmon to push the ball out for a corner.
Cameroon had a few other half-chances, but they failed to take them, and the first half eventually ended goalless.
At halftime, Waldrum made two changes, with Halimatu Ayinde and Payne leaving the pitch for Jennifer Echigini and Esther Okoronkwo.
Cameroon had a big chance early in the second half after a Cameroon player attempted to beat Osinachi Ohale for pace in the box, but Nnadozie showed great awareness to leave her line and gather the ball.
In the 54th minute, Nigeria scored through Esther Okoronkwo, who jumped high to head in a cross from Ashleigh Plumptre. Unfortunately, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Ten minutes later, Oshoala had another opportunity after receiving a nice pass from Jennifer Echegini, but her tame strike was easily saved by the goalkeeper.
After that, the game dragged on, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. It eventually ended goalless in Douala, setting the stage for a potentially thrilling second leg in Abuja next Monday.
