Ethiopia hold Nigeria to 1-all draw in 2024 Paris Olympic Games qualifier

Hosts Ethiopia have held Nigeria’s Super Falcons 1-1 in the first leg of the second round of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games qualifiers.

Birkie Amare gave the hosts an early lead after only 6 minutes at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa.

The start studded Nigerian side tried to push forward led by Barcelona’s Asisat Lamina Oshoala, but the Ethiopians stood firm.

After recess the Super Falcons who reached the knockout round of the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup leveled matters after 51 minutes through skipper Rasheedat Ajibade. The two teams created more scoring opportunities, but failed to score more goals.

Firew Haile Gabriel, the head coach of Ethiopia’s team said that they still have a lot of work to do ahead of the return leg. ” We need to learn to take our chances that we create infront of goal and also defend well, ”  said the coach. The return leg will be played on October 31st in Abuja.

On Thursday two other teams from the CECAFA Zone will be in action with Tanzania hosting Botswana at the Azam Complex, while Uganda Crested Cranes face Cameroon at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.