Waldrum: Falcons unlucky not to have defeated South Africa by bigger margin

Randy Waldrum, Super Falcons head coach, says his team was “a bit unfortunate” not to score more goals in their 1-0 victory over South Africa on Friday. 

Nigeria defeated the Bayana Bayana by a lone goal in the first leg of the final round of qualifiers for the women’s football event at the 2024 Olympics.

Rasheedat Ajibade’s 43rd-minute penalty was the sole difference between the teams at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

The Falcons were without the defensive duo of Ashleigh Plumptre and Oluwatosin Demehin, who pulled out of the clash due to injury, while Asisat Oshoala was also left on the bench after a late arrival to camp.

Speaking to journalists after the match, Waldrum said his team could “have at least two or three goals victory tonight” and rued Falcons’ missed chances.

The American also praised the team’s defence for the game as “very strong” despite the notable absence.

He added that the Falcons must finish off the Bayana Bayana in the return leg of the encounter.

“I thought we were a bit unfortunate not to have at least two or three goals victory tonight, but I think the team played well,” Waldrum said.

“I thought we were good defensively, considering we had some new players at the back as we missed players like Ashleigh Plumptre and Tosin Demehim.

“I think the back four stood very strong. I can only remember two good opportunities that they (South Africa) had.

“Overall I thought we could have controlled the game well, try to finish up with the opportunities we had.

“But the bottom line is, we have one game left, and we have to get the result.”

Nigeria will travel to Pretoria for the return leg of the encounter at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on April 9.

The winner of the two-legged tie between Nigeria and South Africa will earn one of Africa’s two tickets to the women’s football event at the Paris Olympics, with Zambia and Morocco battling for the other ticket.

The 2024 Olympics is billed to take place in Paris, France, from July 26 to August 11, 2024.

The last time the Falcons played at the Olympic Games was in Beijing in 2008.