Olympics jinx: What Sports Minister said after Super Falcons performance against South Africa

Nigeria’s Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh has hailed the performance of the Super Falcons against the Banyana Banyana of South Africa as historic.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Super Falcons beat Bayana Bayana of South Africa 1-0 on aggregate to seal qualification for the Olympics for the first time in 16 years.

The nine-time African champions defeated their South African rivals 1-0 in the first leg at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Friday before settling for a goalless draw in the return leg on Tuesday.

The game  played at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria saw both sides attempt very few scoring chances, but it was Nigeria’s defence and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie who kept the hosts at bay.

Efforts by captain Thembi Kgatlana to open scoring for the hosts in the second half proved abortive as Nigeria’s wall stood tall to defend their lead on the day.

Reacting, the Minister of Sports wrote via X (formerly Twitter): “The Jinx is broken

“The Super Falcons of Nigeria have emerged victorious against Banyana Banyana of South Africa with an aggregate score of 1-0 in the final leg of the Olympic qualifying match held in Pretoria.

“The Falcons kept a clean sheet and secured a historic victory after a sixteen-year drought. With this win, they have earned a spot in the Paris Olympics 2024.

“Congratulations to the Super Falcons on their incredible achievement”.

The result means Nigeria secure  the continent’s spot for the Olympics.

Meanwhile, Nigeria is in Group C alongside World Cup champions Spain, Japan and Brazil in the Games billed for July 26 to Aug.11 in France.