By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Cameroon’s hopes of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games have been dashed following their 0-1 loss to Nigeria in the qualifiers.
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon were defeated by the Super Falcons of Nigeria at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Nigeria in the second leg, third round qualifiers of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. This came after a 0-0 draw in the first leg held in Cameroon on Friday, February 23.
Nigerian Esther Okoronkwo, scored the winning goal for Nigeria in the 14th minute, following a beautiful combination with Jennifer Echegini.
Despite creating opportunities to overturn the score line, the Indomitable Lionesses could not capitalize. Skipper Rasheedat Ajibade missed a key chance to score in the closing minutes of the first half when facing the Cameroon goalkeeper.
In the second half, the physically strong Cameroon team pushed for an equalizer, but Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie made crucial saves. After the final whistle, Cameroon was eliminated, finishing the game with ten players. Cameroon’s last participation in the Olympics was in 2012.
The Super Falcons will face either Tanzania or South Africa in the final round of qualifiers. Only two African teams will qualify for the 2024 Olympics, scheduled to take place in Paris, France, from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
The Lionesses’ defeat adds to their recent setbacks as they have been eliminated from three major international competitions in the past year: the 2023 World Cup qualifiers, the 2024 African Women’s Cup, and the 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers.
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