Falcons fail to soar as they are held to a 1-1 draw by Ethiopia in Olympic games qualifier

NIGERIA'S Super Falcons failed lift up to the recent billing as one of the best team in the world when they were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Ethiopia in an Olympic games qualifier in Addis Ababa.

Highly rated after dazzling in this summer's World Cup where they beat hosts Australia, eliminated Olympic champions Canada and were only knocked out by eventual finalists England on penalties, the Falcons were expected to beat Ethiopia easily. However, the team did not soar as expected and had to come from behind to secure a point, although they had a last minute goal chalked off for offside.

In what was the first leg of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games qualifier played at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in the Ethiopian capital, the Falcons failed to hammer their opponents as expected. Asisat Oshoala had the chance to put Nigeria ahead as early as the fifth minute but squandered the opportunity when it was easier to score than miss.

Shortly after that calamitous miss, the Ethiopians went down the other end and secured a corner kick from with they took the lead. Birkie Amare put Ethiopia ahead after the Falcons failed to clear the lines from an innocuous corner kick, giving them the lead against the run of play.

In what is now becoming a bad habit, Oshoala, who us supposed to be Nigeria's star player missed another golden chance at the start of the second half. At the World Cup, Oshoala was largely missing in action, as she only really showed up in the game against Australia, letting the side down badly in matches against Ireland and England, despite being on the Ballon D'or shortlist.

It was stand-in skipper Rasheedat Ajibade who drew Nigerian level in the 51st minute with a thunderous strike from outside the penalty area. Substitute Ifeoma Onumonu could have snatched a last-minute winner but her goal was chalked off by the referees assistant who raised her offside flag.

Former Liverpool and winger Rinsola Babajide came off the bench in the 71st minute for her first competitive appearance for the Super Falcons after recently switching nationality to Nigeria from England.  On Tuesday October 31, the Falcons the Falcons will play the second leg at home at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.