Cape Verde 1-2 Nigeria (1-7, agg): Super Falcons qualify for WAFCON 2024, join Ghana, South Africa, Algeria in Morocco

The former Africa champions are the only team to have qualified for and finished in the final four of every edition of the continental championship

Nigeria's Super Falcons have qualified for the 2024 CAF Women Africa Cup of Nations after beating Cape Verde 2-1 on the night and 7-1 on aggregate, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Falcons secured a convincing 5-0 win over the Cape Verdeans when both teams met in the first leg of their second-round qualifier at the Abuja National Stadium on Thursday, November 30th.

However, goals from Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo helped Nigeria turn around a 1-0 deficit to claim a 2-1 win in Praia. 

How it happened

The nine-time African champions were favourites to claim a second win in six days over the same opposition in the return fixture played at the Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde in Praia today (Tuesday).

The match was, however, far from being an easy walk in the park for Nigeria as Cape Verde drew first blood in the 9th minute through Ivania Tavares Moreira.

Despite creating several goalscoring chances, the Falcons failed to level proceedings before the referee's whistle went off for halftime.

However, Nigeria's dominance paid off just past the hour-mark when substitute Esther Okoronkwo produced a sublime finish to equalise for the Super Falcons.

Rinsola Babajide, Toni Payne, and Okoronkwo missed several chances to give Nigeria the lead. 

However, Atletico Madrid attacking midfielder Ajibade came up with the winning goal deep in stoppage time to seal Nigeria's 100 per cent record over Cape Verde. 

Teams that have qualified for Morocco 2024

Following the completion of the encounter, Nigeria became the latest nation to book their spot at next year's WAFCON.

Morocco are guaranteed their place as hosts, while South Africa and Algeria confirmed their tickets after second-round triumphs over Burkina Faso and Burundi, respectively.

Ghana also lost 1-0 in Namibia but the Black Queens scraped their way through to the WAFCON, having won the first leg 3-1 last week.

Congo DR caused an upset after beating former champions Equatorial Guinea 3-2 on aggregate to advance to the finals.

Tunisia are also through as they forced Congo to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday to make their 5-2 win in the first leg even more significant.

Despite beating Tanzania 2-0 at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo will not be at the WAFCON as they bow out on a 2-3 aggregate defeat.

Zambia followed up their 6-0 win over Angola in the first leg with another 6-0 victory in the return leg to outclass their opponents 12-0 on aggregate.

Senegal also dumped out Egypt from the WAFCON after backing up their 4-0 win last week with a goalless draw in Cairo.