Ethiopia’s national women’s football team, the Super Falcons, were held to a 1-1 draw by Ethiopia in the first leg of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers. The match took place at the Abebe Bikila stadium in Addis Ababa on Wednesday.
Ethiopia took an early lead in the 6th minute when Birkie Amare capitalized on a scramble inside the Falcons’ 18-yard box, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. However, the Falcons managed to level the score in the second half with a remarkable volley from captain Rasheedat Ajibade.
Ajibade seized an opportunity outside the box after an Ethiopian defender’s poor clearance, unleashing a powerful long-range strike that found the top corner of the net. The goal came in the 52nd minute, equalizing the score at 1-1.
In the closing moments of the game, Ifeoma Onumonu thought she had secured a victory for the Falcons with a late goal, but it was disallowed due to an offside call.
The two teams will face each other again in the second leg, scheduled for Tuesday, October 31 at the MKO Abiola stadium in Abuja.
The only previous encounter between the Falcons and Ethiopia was during the group stage of the 2012 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria emerged victorious with a 3-0 win.
