Since featuring at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the Super Falcons have failed in all their subsequent efforts to play in successive editions of the Olympic Games.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria faced the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon at the Stade de la Reunification in Douala, Cameroon, but the game ended in a goalless draw.
The result leaves both teams hungry for more when they meet in the return leg on Monday in Nigeria, with the Super Falcons having the home advantage.
Taking a deeper delve into the game, sport channel brings you five takeaways from the draw in Doula.
1. The officiating was poor
Ugandan referee, Shamirah Nabadda was in charge of the game, and it will be an evening to forget for her. The 32-year-old made a lot of questionable decisions, including disallowing a goal by Jennifer Echegini for offside, when the Juventus midfielder was well onside.
2. Cameroon were very physical
The Super Falcons created quite a number of chances in Douala, but their build-up from the back didn’t get going as they had to keep playing the ball long. The Indomitable Lionesses were equal to the ball in the air and on the ground, and they constantly out-muscled the Nigerian players.
3. Asisat Oshoala was selfish
The ex-Barcelona centre-forward had a golden chance to break the deadlock with Echegini in space in the centre of the box but opted to go solo, and had her shot saved by the opposition goalkeeper. She also had chances where she could have laid passes to her teammates, but instead, the 29-year-old went for goal.
4. Deborah Abiodun impresses again
Popularly called Kante, the 20-year-old showed her importance to the team today by thwarting Cameroon’s attacks in the middle of the park and helping the Nigerian defenders maintain composure.
5. Rasheedat Ajibade played out of position
The Atletico Madrid forward played as an attacking midfielder today and struggled to get going, and looked clueless a few times.
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