Nigeria eliminates Algeria, face Cote d Ivoire next

Harry Awurumibe.

A second half goal against run of play scored by poster girl, Asisat Oshoala in the 59th minute of the match was all that Super Falcons of Nigeria needed to beat Algeria 1-0 at Agege stadium, Lagos today to qualify on 3-0 goals aggregate for the next round of Tokyo 2020 Olympics CAF qualifiers.

The first half of the crunchy tie had ended in a barren draw as the Falcons fell to take the numerous goal chances that
came there way to the frustration of Head Coach Thomas Dennerby and fans.

But the half time pep talks by the coach yielded positive results as the Falcons became more purposeful although their second or third ball always let them down.

With all the six foreign-based professionals starting the game and Nigeria coming into the match with two goals advantage courtesy of the 2-0 away victory, many thought that the host will score basketful of goals.

This was not the case as the North Africans held their own against the reigning African Champions who played uncordinated game on the day even with two federal ministers- Mr. Sunday Dare and Dame Paulin Tallen, ministers of Sports & Youth Development and Women Affairs, cheering them on at the stadium.

However, Oshoala’s lone goal was a consolation for the Nigerian fans who came to the stadium to support the 9-time African Champions just as Nigeria has thus qualified for the next round of the qualifiers where fellow West African nation Cote d Ivoire will be the next opponents.

Meanwhile seven other countries including women’s football power houses like Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon and Black Queens of Ghana.

Others that have made it to the third round are Zambia, Kenya, DR Congo and Botswana which eliminated South Africa against all odds.