The Super Falcons have booked their spot at the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations after a 1-0 win over Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan.
Esther Okoronkwo struck in the 87th minute of the tense encounter to send the Nigerian ladies through.
Having won the first leg in Abuja 2-0 last Friday, the Super Falcons advanced 3-0 on aggregate.
The nine-time African champions had to endure a tough game on Wednesday though, as the desperate Ivorians piled pressure in a bid to cancel out the two-goal first leg deficit.
Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was the heroine of the first half, brilliantly saving a penalty kick that would have given the hosts a half-time lead.
The relentless pressure continued after the break, but the Super Falcons stood firm before sealing the aggregate victory with Okoronkwo’s late goal.
The win is sweet revenge for the Super Falcons, who were eliminated by the Ivorian ladies in the qualifying campaign for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games women’s football event.
The Super Falcons have now qualified for every edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, although this is their toughest qualifying campaign after facing Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.
