World football governing body, FIFA, has congratulated Nigeria’s Super Falcons for qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic games.
The Falcons held South Africa’s Banyana Banyana to a goalless draw in Pretoria to secure the ticket.
Randy Waldrum and his players went into the game with a 1-0 lead from the first leg, thanks to a Rasheedat Ajibade strike from the penalty spot.
Reacting to the team’s qualification, FIFA wrote on their X handle:”Congratulations.”
Also Read: Paris 2024: Waldrum Wants Super Falcons To Camp In Europe For Olympics
It is a first appearance at the Olympic games for the Falcons since Beijing 2008.
Following the qualification, the Falcons are now in Group C alongside world champions Spain, Japan and Brazil.
Meanwhile, Zambia also qualified for the Olympics after defeating Morocco 2-0 in the second leg also played on Tuesday.
The Zambians go through on a 3+2 aggregate scoreline.
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Zambia’s Olympic qualification early this morning (12 – 2 am) was even more remarkable. After losing 2 -1 in Lusaka to the Moroccans, they went to Casablanca to do the impossible – beat the host 2 – 0 to advance 3 -2 on aggregate. This is despite the fact Morocco hired the recent Spanish FIFA World Cup Cup-winning coach, Jorge Vilda.
South Africa’s star girl, Kgatlana, and their coach, Ellis are so boastful and think they’re now the team to beat in Africa, but Zambia’s Barbra Banda and her teammates are simply machines. They’ve so much improved from the last Wafcon where they placed third, edging Nigeria 1 – 0 in the losers’ final. Morocco too plays some fluid football. And Botswana is not far behind. They stopped SA from the last Olympic qualification. So also Ghana, Cameroun, and Cote D’Ivoire.
I watched the highlights of Zambia vs Ghana in Lusaka, where Ghana almost did the impossible, nearly snatching a 3 -2 win after losing 1 – 0 at home. Zambia scored with the last kick of the match (a free kick on the edge of the 18-yard) to draw the game and advance 4-3 aggregate.
Next year’s Wafcon is going to nearly match the last Afcon in terms of competitiveness. Thank God it’s now a 24-team tournament. It’s going to be a battle royale. Aside from Nigeria and South Africa, Zambia, Morocco, Ghana, Cameroun, and Cote D’Ivore are going to be serious contenders too. Note that at the U20 level, Ghana has got the better of Nigeria in competitions twice now, and that’s a cause for concern.
Back to the Olympics, we’re battling 3 former (and current) FIFA World Cup champions – Japan, Brazil, and Spain. Super formidable opponents just like we had at the last World Cup and we were ranked outsiders until we pulled the rug and qualified alongside the hosts Australia. The same thing will happen at the Olympics. 2 heavyweights will head home after the group matches. Zambia will also good Africa good representation.
Cameroon didn’t qualify for WAFCON unfortunately..but you are spot on it’s gonna be a battle royale.
That Spanish coach that was kissing his players after their world cup win in the name of celebration? That bwoi went on a kissing rampage.
Make he no try am for Morocco, with their Arab customs, make dem no commot him head.
Zambia kuchalo! They deserve much credit for going to the Atlas Lioness’ den and not only coming out unscathed, but also emerging with the Olympic ticket. It was a gutsy performance. Shell shocked Morocco fans sat in disbelief after the ref blew the final whistle. No road to the Olympics for them this year. They have to check back in 2028.
Pompei…Current Morocco female coach did not kiss his players while being the Female coach of Spain. It was Spanish Football Federation President that went on kissing spree and I think he lost his position by getting fired and also sanctioned by FIFA….