Asisat Oshoala scored the only goal as the Super Falcons defeated Algeria at the Agege Soccer Temple on Tuesday. Following Super Falcons’ first leg 2-0 win in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualifier in Algeria, the visitors had it all to do to keep qualification hopes alive but it was a very controlled performance from the Nigerian team to progress 3-0 on aggregate.
With some of the foreign based players being involved it was expected that Nigeria would completely dominate the game at the Soccer Temple in Agege with Oshoala and Rasheedat Ajibade both hitting the target but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Nigeria kept creating chances with another cut back from the Captain on the day, Oshoala falling just behind Ordega who was free to attack the ball in the Algerian defence.
The reverse was however the case for the visitors who barely threatened the Nigerian defence.
The breakthrough however came in the 59th minute when Oshoala picked up the ball from midfield and drove forward with two Algerian defenders attempting to stop her but the Barcelona forward beat them to pace slotting past the goalkeeper to give Nigeria the advantage.
Minutes later, Oshoala came close with a looping strike which just landed on the roof of the net. With the Algerians seeking a consolation goal deep into the second half, spaces opened up for the Falcons to do damage as Ordega was put through twice but couldn’t find the vital touch in the first instance while she forced the Algerian goalkeeper to a save in the subsequent chance.
Nigeria will now play either Mali or Cote D’Ivoire in the next round of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualifier.
