Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum hailed his team after they drew 0-0 with South Africa in Pretoria on Tuesday to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games women's football tournament.
The Super Falcons won 1-0 on aggregate thanks to a Rasheedat Ajibade goal from a penalty in the first leg last Friday in Abuja.
Nigeria return to the Olympics tournament after a 16-year absence and will face world champions Spain, Japan and Brazil in the first round of the 25 July - 10 August tournament in France.
E don set! 🥵@Paris2024, we are coming!🚺
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) April 9, 2024
Watch out❕🇳🇬
📱#SoarSuperFalcons|#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/kmdCVnudby
"Sixteen years without qualifying is a long time and I am extremely proud of the girls," said 67-year-old American Waldrum after a second leg that produced few scoring chances.
"It is a huge accomplishment for Nigeria and we defended brilliantly. There is work to be done when it comes to our attack, and we will improve before heading to France."
🏁FULL TIME! in Pretoria 📍
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) April 9, 2024
South Africa 🇿🇦 0-0 Nigeria 🇳🇬 (0-1 agg)
Nigeria breaks the Olympic jinx since 2008 with a 1-0 aggregate victory over South Africa, securing qualification! We are through to @Paris2024 🎉
📱#SoarSuperFalcons| #RSANGA| #CAFWCQ| #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/GwFeLSwFBv
South Africa coach Desiree Ellis said: "Failing to reach the finals is obviously a huge disappointment, but I am very proud of the team.
"We gave everything we had, especially in the second half. I could not have asked for more. Congratulations to Nigeria – they defended resolutely."
Morocco or Zambia will fill the other place allocated to Africa.
The North Africans lead 2-1 from the first leg in Ndola.