Abuja - Nigeria’s Super Falcons, the national female soccer team, on Saturday at the National Stadium, Abuja qualified for the 2008 Olympics holding in Beijing, China after a 2 - 0 victory over their arch rivals, Ghana’s Black Queens.

The match lived up to its billings before a near empty stadium, as the visitors put up spirited efforts towards holding the star-studded Falcons to a draw in order to pick the ticket which however, ended in futility.

Nigerians at the stadium including former Falcons star, Mercy Akide-Udoh who sat at the state box as special guest, had Cynthia Uwak to thank as she scored both goals.

Uwak had capitalised on a blunder by keeper Memunatu Suleimana to score in the 38th minute of the match, while the Falcons which also paraded Kikelomo Ajayi, Perpetua Nkwocha, Ifeanyi Chiejine, Stella Mbachu, Rita Chikwelu, Effioawan Ekpo and Faith Ikidi among others, held on to the lead till the end of first half.

The reigning African Player of the Year, Uwak was on song again in the 88th minute as she displaced the Ghanaian keeper and put the ball past the two defenders on the goal line into the net.

The Falcons coached by Joseph Ladipo fondly called Jossy Lad finished the table also with nine points but beat the Ghanaians to the ticket on goal difference.

The Queens which defeated the African champions 2-0, when both sides met in Accra last August off an own goal by Lilian Cole, will now go for a play off against Brazil to vie for a Beijing 2008 ticket.

Source: Sunday Tribune

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