Nicole Payne's Nigeria blow Ethiopia away

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Nicole Payne’s Nigeria made light work of Ethiopia yesterday at Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, earning themselves a 4-0 win (5-1 on aggregate) in the second leg of a second-round tie in the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic qualifying tournament.

By picking up a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Addis Ababa last week, the 11-time African champions had certainly risen to the challenge posed by Ethiopia – and in Abuja yesterday, the Super Falcons comfortably put the tie to bed with a 4-0 victory. After starting the first leg, Paris's Nicole Payne came off the bench in the 60th minute this time around to play her part in what was a fine win for her side.

Nigeria are now through to the third round of the tournament, where they'll face Cameroon for a place in the fourth and final round of qualifying.

ETHIOPIA 0-4 NIGERIA (1-5 on aggregrate)
2024 CAF Women's Olympic qualifying tournament – Second round, second leg
Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja
Goals: Uchenna Kanu (45'+1), Rasheedat Ajibade (50', 72') and Asisat Oshoala (68').
ETHIOPIA: Tariqua, Nardos, Kidist, Bethelhem, Birkie, Bizuayehu, Nyabuonyi, Meadin, Aregash, Rediet, Loza (c). Head coach: Hailegebriel Firew.
NIGERIA: Nnadozie, Demehin, Ogbonna, Imuran, Alozie, Efih, Ajibade (c), T. Payne, Monday, Kanu, Oshoala. Head coach: Randy Waldrum.