Paris 2024 qualifiers: Nigeria and Zambia go through, Morocco stumble
Nigeria and Zambia have secured qualification for the 2024 Olympics after knocking out South Africa and Morocco respectively.
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A clash between South Africa, the Africa Cup of Nations winners, and Nigeria, a powerhouse of women's football on the continent, with a ticket to Paris at stake. It was always going to be a must-watch tie. In the final qualifying round for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Banyana Banyana had to respond after losing the first leg 1-0. In a tight, tense contest, the Super Falcons held firm to keep a clean sheet and force a draw against South Africa (0-0). Nigeria will therefore be in Paris this summer for the 2024 Olympics, qualifying 16 years after last featuring in the competition in 2008. The Nigerian side will be in Group C alongside Spain, the reigning world champions, Brazil and Japan.
Morocco fall short
The Atlas Lionesses will not be at the 2024 Olympics. At the Complexe Moulay El Hassan in Rabat, Morocco lost to Zambia (0-2) on Tuesday 9 April after extra time. Having done the hard work in the first leg by winning away (1-2), the Moroccans failed to follow it up against a Zambian side determined to pull off a shock, thanks to a brace from Barbra Banda (40th and 105th +2). Morocco, who have never played in the Olympic football tournament, miss out again. Zambia, by contrast, have booked their ticket to Paris and will be in Group B with the United States, Australia and Germany.