By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Nigeria defeated South Africa 1-0 in the first leg of the Paris 2024 Olympics final qualification round which was played at the MKO Abiola Stadium on Friday evening.
In the 43rd minute, Noko Matlou brought down Chiwendu Ihezuo in the Banyana Banyana goal area, and Nigeria was awarded a penalty.
Rasheedat Ajibade made no mistake from the spot and sent Kaylin Swart the wrong way to give the Falcons the lead.
It was a quiet end to the game as both sides struggle to create clear cut opportunities.
Super Falcons head into the second leg with a one-goal advantage and have to avoid a defeat to book their place in the tournament
There are two slots for Africa in the 12-team tournament football showpiece. Should Banyana, who failed to qualify for the 2020 Games in Tokyo, clip the wings of the Super Falcons they will be placed in a daunting group.
The winner between South Africa and Nigeria after the two-legged decider will join Group C, alongside world champions Spain, Japan and Brazil.
Morocco and Zambia will battle for the other spot available to Africa at Paris 2024. The winner of that tie will be grouped with the four-time world champions USA, plus Germany and Australia.
Meanwhile the SA football governing body stated that they were not able to secure the feed from the host broadcaster in Nigeria on a reciprocal basis that would have been shared with their partner [the SABC] back home.
Therefore, this meant that the showdown won’t be broadcast in South Africa, as they rely on agreements that the hosts have.
The Association further added that they would endeavour to share their home feed with Nigeria when they host them in SA.
The return leg will be played on Tuesday, 9 April, at 19:30 at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.