A fine header into the back of the net, which would have become the winning goal for the Super Falcons, was ruled out for an offside in Nigeria’s 2024 Olympics Qualifiers encounter against Ethiopia on Wednesday.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Birkie Amare pushed host Ethiopia to a surprising lead in the 6th minute of the encounter before Rasheedat Ajibade scored the beautiful equalizer in the 52nd minute of play.
Asisat Oshoala was in the top striking position during the game, with Uchenna Kanu and Gift Monday operating from the wings.
Michelle Alozie switched to left-back to allow Nicole Payne take charge at right-back, while Oluwatosin Demehin and Akudo Ogbonna were in central defence.
With Christy Ucheibe and Halimatu Ayinde unavailable, Peace Efih joined Toni Payne and Ajibade to string things together in the middle.
Both teams found it hard to create many opportunities in a tight first period, though Asisat Oshoala should have done better with an opportunity from Payne’s cross halfway into the period.
After Ajibade restored parity, the Falcons took full control, and substitute Ifeoma Onumonu should have put Nigeria in the lead in the 64th minute.
Payne and Onumonu combined to create a gilt-edged opportunity in the 79th minute, but once more Oshoala failed to make hay.
The Falcons thought they had won it when Onumonu towered above all to head into the net on the dot of time.
But Algerian referee Lamia Atman spotted foul play in the build-up.
Super Falcons winning goal against Ethiopia that was disallowed for offside.
Offside or not?
The referee must be high. 😂 pic.twitter.com/sMoTm3V8TY
— Adepoju Tobi Samuel 🇳🇬 (@OgaNlaMedia) October 25, 2023
TNG reports the return leg has been scheduled for the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday, 31st October 2023, with the winner on aggregate to square up with the winner of the Cameroon/Uganda fixture for a place in the final round of the qualification series.
Next year’s Olympic Games will be held from 26th July to 11th August in Paris and a few other places in France.