All 12 nations at this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament are now confirmed after Nigeria and Zambia secured the final two berths via CAF’s qualifying competition.
Nigeria beat South Africa 1-0 on aggregate in their fourth-round qualification tie, with a goalless draw in the second leg sealing their spot at Paris 2024.
In Rabat, Barbra Banda came to Zambia’s rescue, with a penalty in the first period of extra-time enough to see off Morocco 2-0 on the evening and 3-2 on aggregate.
South Africa 0-0 Nigeria (Agg. 0-1)
Rasheedat Ajibade’s first-leg penalty ultimately proved to be the difference in a hotly-contested tie between these African heavyweights.
In a stop-start opening period in Pretoria, the pace of South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana caused plenty of problems but Nigeria managed to head to the break with their advantage intact. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie then starred for the Super Falcons, making a number of key second-half saves to keep South Africa at bay.
Nigeria will slot into Group C at Paris 2024, joining Spain, Japan and Brazil. It will be the fourth Olympics for the Super Falcons, the most of any African nation, and their first appearance since Beijing 2008.
Morocco 0-2 Zambia (Agg 2-3)
Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Zambia had it all to do as they headed to Rabat to face a Moroccan side looking for a maiden Olympics berth.
Barbra Banda’s well-taken goal in the 39th minute squared things up on aggregate and, despite a string of Moroccan chances, that was the way it stayed through the regulation 90 minutes. Once again Banda came to her nation’s rescue as she converted a penalty she’d won late in the first period of extra time to complete the dramatic comeback.
The Copper Queens will now participate in their second straight Olympics, looking to improve on that debut at Tokyo 2020, where they failed to win a match. USA, Germany and Australia represent an imposing challenge in France as Banda and Co complete the Group B line-up.
