The Super Falcons of Nigeria played out a frustrating goalless draw with the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in the first leg of their third-round qualifying tie for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Friday.
Playing away at the Stade de la Reunification in Douala, the Falcons fought hard but were unable to find a breakthrough against a determined Lionesses side.
The first real threat came in the 11th when Cameroon attacked but goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie produced a brilliant save to keep the scores level.
Nigeria responded with a chance of their own in the 28th minute, with Toni Payne making a great run but failing to find Asisat Oshoala.
In the second half, Nigeria made a double substitution, bringing on Jennifer Echigini and Esther Okoronkwo.
The change almost paid off immediately as Echigini thought she had scored in the 54th minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Further chances came Nigeria’s way, but the Falcons failed to find a breakthrough.
While a draw away from home is not necessarily a bad result, the Falcons will be disappointed not to have secured the advantage.
Attention will now be shifted to the crucial second leg in Abuja on Monday, where the Super Falcons will need to win to keep their Olympic dream alive.
In other matches, the Copper Queens of Zambia stunned the Black Queens of Ghana with 1-0 win in Accra.
The Atlas Lionnesses of Morocco also defeated Tunisia 2-1 away while African champions Banyana Banyana of South Africa spanked Tanzania 3-0 away.