Paris 2024 Olympic qualifiers: Nigeria holds Ethiopia to 1-1 draw in Addis Ababa

By Harry Awurumibe, Africa’s No.1 Women Football Journalist

Nigeria’s Super Falcons came back from one goal down to draw 1-1 with hosts Ethiopia in the first leg, second round of the Paris 2024 Olympics African qualifiers double-header played at Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa on Wednesday afternoon.

Ethiopians put their noses in front in the 6′ of the match through Birkie Amare who scrambled in after Nigerian defense failed to deal with a set piece early in the game.

But the nine-time African champions recovered quickly from the early setback to pressure their opponents to no end but the first stanza ended 1-0 in favour of the Lucy as the Ethiopian senior women’s team is called.

On resumption, Nigeria continued to pile the pressure but poor finishing was their undoing on the day as the Ethiopians held on to the early goal till Super  Falcons attacking midfielder, Rasheedat Ajibade scored the equaliser in the 51′ to the relieve of the Nigerian bench.

All efforts to score the second goal after dominating the game for several minutes proved abortive as the Ethiopians refused to concede again till the end of the match.

With the 1-1 draw, Nigeria is has one leg in the next round if the the two countries play a barren draw in the second leg tie billed for Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian delegation is expected to depart Addis Ababa aboard Ethiopian Airlines on Thursday and on arrival in  Abuja, the team will start preparations immediately for the decisive second leg match under the tutelage of coaches Justin Madugu, Ann Agumanu-Chiejin and Auwal Makwalla.