The Super Falcons of Nigeria have taken a significant stride towards securing a spot in the football event of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after clinching a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Africa in the first leg of the final round of qualifiers.

In a tense encounter at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Friday, Rasheedat Ajibade proved to be the hero for Nigeria, converting a crucial penalty in the 43rd minute to secure the vital win.

The Nigerian team started the game on the front foot, applying pressure on the South African defense from the onset. Despite dominating possession, the Super Falcons initially struggled to find the back of the net.

However, their persistence paid off just before halftime when Chinwendu Ihezuo was brought down inside the box, resulting in a penalty for Nigeria. Ajibade calmly stepped up and dispatched the spot-kick to give her side the lead.

As the second half commenced, the Super Falcons continued to push forward in search of more goals. Although they created several scoring opportunities, their efforts were thwarted by resilient defending from the South African team and some wayward finishing.

With the first leg advantage secured, the Super Falcons will now shift their focus to the crucial second leg clash in South Africa scheduled for Tuesday.

The winner of the two-legged tie will earn the coveted ticket to represent Africa at the Paris Olympic Games later this year.