Nigeria's Super Falcons edge Banyana in first leg of Olympic qualifier

With both sides having made it through three previous qualifying rounds, it was the Super Falcons who claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win in the opening game of the fourth and final round.

Rasheedat Ajibade was the hero for Nigeria as she scored the only goal of the tie with a 43rd minute penalty

The hosts had started the stronger of the two teams but were unable to break through an organised Banyana Banyana defence in the opening exchanges.

Chiwendi Ihezuo tried her luck from range but powered her shot well over the South Africa goal.

Uchenna Kanu was looking lively for Nigeria and soon after forced Banyana goalkeeper Kaylin Swart into two good saves on the seven minute mark.

South Africa were struggling to keep hold of the ball against a side buoyed by their home support and Deborah Abiodun was the next to worry Swart with a good effort on goal that the keeper ultimately dealt with well.

Ihezuo thought she was in with the opener on 18 minutes but headed a good cross from Chininma Okeke wide of the target.

The visitors finally looked to make a breakthrough with 20 minutes of the match played but Super Falcons stopper Chiamaka Nnadozie was equal to the effort.

Banyana started to settle into the tie and controlled the ball in midfield, ahead of a chance on 25 minutes that flew past Nnadozie and the Nigeria goal. 

South Africa dealt comfortably with a driven corner soon after, while the best chance of the clash arrived in the 35th minute but Chiwendi Ihezuo failed to slot the ball into an empty net after dragging Swart out of position.

Kanu was unable to get any power on her effort when through on goal with 37 minutes played but she was soon celebrating with her teammates when Rasheedat Ajibade blasted home a penalty to hand her side the lead going into the half-time break.

Nigeria were quickly out of the blocks at the start of the second half with Swart kept busy by a dominant home attack, but Kanu first blasted over before being denied by the South Africa stopper.

Ihezuo was next in with a chance as the hosts began to really pepper their opponents' goal but Ihezuo was guilty of firing her 53rd minute chance straight at Swart.

Banyana created a rare opportunity at the other end but Nnadozie did well to keep out a strong Jermaine Seoposenwe effort just before the hour mark.

Ajibade should have done better on 62 minutes after a quick give-and-go but Swart was equal to the task.

Recently introduced Nigeria substitute looked to make a swift impact but her 71st minute free-kick wasn't read by her fellow teammates and flew harmlessly out of play.

The last ten minutes of the match was a tense affair with South Africa pressing for an equaliser and the Super Falcons defending well before looking to break forward and extend their lead. 

There was little in the way of clear-cut chances though and Nigeria ultimately celebrated their efforts as they claimed the win to take a slender advantage going into their second leg.

The return match takes place at Loftus Versfeld on April 9 with the aggregate winner qualifying for the Paris Olympics in July and August where they will compete in Group C against world champions Spain, Japan and Brazil.

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