Shock Exit: Nigeria Fails to Qualify for Rio 2016 Olympics After Loss to Equatorial Guinea
In a stunning twist, Nigeria’s Super Falcons will not participate in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, following their elimination in the penultimate round of the African qualifiers by Equatorial Guinea.
After being held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg on home soil, the reigning African champions traveled to Bata with everything to play for. The match started well for the Nigerians, with Ngozi Okobi opening the scoring in the 12th minute, giving the visitors hope of advancing.
However, the game turned dramatically. Equatorial Guinea equalized just before full-time (1-1), forcing the match into extra time. It was during this period that the hosts struck again, netting the decisive goal to seal a 2-1 victory on the night and a 3-2 win on aggregate.
The loss marks a major blow for Nigeria, a powerhouse in African women’s football, as they miss out on yet another global tournament. Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea moves on to the final qualifying round, where they will face South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, who overcame Kenya in their tie.
This shock elimination raises serious questions about the future of the Nigerian women’s team, long seen as a dominant force on the continent.
